Cold Rain And Snow, Midnight Hour, Seasons, Mama Tried, Next Time You See Me, Good Lovin, Big Boss Man, Casey Jones, Dancin In The Streets, Dark Star > St. Stephen > The Eleven > Death Don't Have No Mercy

mr> c1> dat> turtle bch "Fiji"> SHN; via Teddy GoodBear, Doug Johnson; to abg, later to etree; note track names by title, have spaces and/or special characters; see pub comments for flaw note

plus-circle Add Review

comment Reviews

Reviewer: kmmccorm08 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 3, 2019

Subject: Perfection It’s almost unbelievable that the band played 50 years ago, someone recorded it to insanely high audio standards, and this many years later I can click I button to hear them at one of their peaks. What a show. - November 3, 2019Perfection

Reviewer: '66-testing - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 21, 2016

Subject: DEAD HEAVEN 21:50 is my happy place '66-testing -- September 21, 2016DEAD HEAVEN

Reviewer: banksmc311 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 6, 2015

Subject: Hello 1969! Excellent sound quality! It's been a while since I've jammed any 1969, but put on the "Dark Star' this morning to listen to the "Feelin' Groovy" jam. And I am blown away and the quality of this recording. Thanks to all those involved in getting this online! - February 6, 2015Hello 1969! Excellent sound quality!

Reviewer: quinn_76! - favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 3, 2014

Subject: The Family Dog gets a bone. "Family Dog" shows tend to be a bit more laid back as a general rule, but this particular night sounds like a bit of an anomaly, as many numbers exhibit a slightly higher level of octane at this venue. The somewhat rare "Seasons" is executed well enough (if you can dig that kind of thing), and the "Mama Tried" is a solid reading. But these little ditties are just warm-ups, of course. The Good Lovin'->Drums->Good Lovin' is superlative, and the best of the year, imho. Things would only get better with that number, though (READ: 5/2/70). The Dark Star->Feelin'Groovy Jam->Tightin' Up Jam->Dark Star->St. Stephen->The Eleven->Death Don't is the obvious highlight of the evening. I could hardly write anything worthy of properly singing its praises, but I will offer that that segue of musical merit rivals anything the boys were doing back in February, March, & April of the year. This show holds its own indeed, and it's really a shining star in a period that's otherwise somewhat overlooked by the fantastic stretch they had earlier in the year, and by the year they were soon to embark upon. I recommend this show without reservation.



BTW, the last line of “St. Stephen” that reads: “William Tell has stretched his bow till it won't stretch no furthermore and it may require a change that hasn't come

before” is brilliant in that Jerry charges full speed ahead with his vocal, accentuating the “Before” by sustaining it in a long and robust way that I’ve never heard on another other version. He then kicks right into “The Eleven”. I agree with reviewer mikemet that that moment is one for the ages, worthy of repeated listens. - July 3, 2014The Family Dog gets a bone.

Reviewer: JustMeMyself... - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 24, 2014

Subject: Mirror / Eyes Enjoying this recording but also hear "Eyes of the World" in the deep core of Dark Star between verses. Jerry sings "Mirror crashes" on the 2nd verse and then mumbles the "matter", probably realizing the rhyme wasn't going to work. A little crispy, even in the early days. I can't remember lyrics, though, even when I'm not high. - February 24, 2014Mirror / Eyes

Reviewer: ms42466 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 8, 2013

Subject: tops !!! ever !!!! best sound quality, best 11 , DDHNM Reviewer: ms42466 - - April 2, 2013

Subject: whooooouuuugggghhhhwwwwww! dark star 5star

just wow wow wow. pure 5 #1 4 me thanks.

best of all ever,

sound Quality is the BEST i ever heard

best dark star

best 11

best DDHNMercy ever

the BEST ever BASS clarity - April 8, 2013tops !!! ever !!!! best sound quality, best 11 , DDHNM

Reviewer: CharlieMiller - - September 12, 2012

Subject: why not listen to the complete show? http://archive.org/details/gd1969-11-02.sbd.miller.32350.sbeok.flac16 - September 12, 2012why not listen to the complete show?

Reviewer: Taper Corey - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 11, 2012

Subject: REAL HIGHLIGHT everyone is talkin' about the Dark Star from this show. the REAL HIGHLIGHT is the Death Dont Have no Mercy. my god jerry sings his soul out on this one folks! - September 11, 2012REAL HIGHLIGHT

Reviewer: ellisthemess - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 10, 2011

Subject: birthdays 30 minute dark star on my birthday.thankyou jerry garcia thankyou grateful dead.words are not enough. - October 10, 2011birthdays

Reviewer: mklsgl - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 7, 2011

Subject: DS Jams Don't forget "Beginnings." It's in this one, too (like the 10/25/69 one). The band melds "Feelin' Groovy" with "Tighten Up" and "Beginnings" often during the period late '68 thru '70, a few times in '71 and '72. - August 7, 2011DS Jams

Reviewer: orygunjim - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 7, 2011

Subject: Amazing DS...but This is a meaty version, but I don't rate the Dark Star in my top 10. The "feelin groovy" jam and the "tighten up" jam are awesome, but feel contrived to me, like the band lost the thread of their own creativity and then jammed the shit out of other people's musical themes. Instead of an organic, flowing DS, it seems more like 3 chunks of a song sitting side by side on a shelf. Regardless, it's this many years later and I'm listening with intent. Great music, excellent sound quality for the era: all other analyses are irrelevant. - August 7, 2011Amazing DS...but

Reviewer: localloser - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 19, 2011

Subject: Dark Star This Dark Star goes places. 30 minutes of splendor, what a canvas the boys paint, taking us to the outer regions and then coming back. Amazing.

Question: Which do you prefer: St. Stephen>The Eleven or St. Stephen>Not Fade Away.



I prefer the former because I thing it segues better. I feel that the later seguing is too abrupt. What are your thoughts? - June 19, 2011Dark Star

Reviewer: omnihead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 14, 2011

Subject: right up there with 2/27 Yep...it's fucking awesome. this dark star is as every bit as good as 2/27/69 (Live Dead version). HOWEVER, i've aways been partial to 72' Dark Stars. Then again, its like comparing apples and oranges. Here's a description of Dark star's as I see it: 1969: Rough, ragged, primal, intense, saturated, immature, electric, raw, dense

1970: same as 1969, but add delicate, deliberate, and structured

1972: cosmic, chaotic, psychedelic, transcendent, sequential, complex, esoteric, apocalyptic, unpredictable, cathartic, climatic, unrelenting, kaleidoscopic , layered, intuitive, breathtaking, soaring

1973: jazzy, loose, airy, spacey, minimalist, dark, dreamy, waltz, free flowing, diluted, weird, looming, diverse (from mellow to scary) - May 14, 2011right up there with 2/27

Reviewer: Direwolfman - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 14, 2011

Subject: Sweet Sounds found here! Agee with everyone below, tasty tasty sounds. DARK Star, The Eleven, and DDHNM . Doesn't get much better then this. Download now - February 14, 2011Sweet Sounds found here!

Reviewer: clementinescaboose - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 3, 2010

Subject: shall we go? is this the best Dark Star of the year? it certainly makes a case for it, even if there are better all-time versions like 4/24/72, 2/13/70, or 11/11/73. the only others of '69 that are on the same level imo are 2/27, 4/13, 4/22 and possibly 10/25. don't be fooled by my review tho, this is REQUIRED listening. you can't call yourself a '69 GD fan w/o this. - November 3, 2010shall we go?

Reviewer: weatetheacid - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 29, 2010

Subject: simply stellar eleven this is probly my favorite eleven. - August 29, 2010simply stellar eleven

Reviewer: cugel - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 10, 2010

Subject: In a sense the end of the 60's "There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. . . We had all the momentum, we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave."



-- Hunter S. Thompson.



This is one of the last few of the pure 60's "psychedelic" shows. Within a month the band abandoned many of these songs for the ones they introduced with American Beauty and Workingman's Dead -- fine songs but the 70's were a very different era.



They sure went out with a bang! This Dark Star is certainly one of the top 5 of all time in my view -- along with other greats like 2/27/69/ 3/1/69, and 4/08/72 -- it's not just melodic it's utterly inventive and unlike any other version I've heard.



Don't miss this show. - July 10, 2010In a sense the end of the 60's

Reviewer: I_love_you - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 5, 2007

Subject: excommunicated to answer your question about the "family"... yes "they" do expect you to buy a CD - thusly, we no longer reefer (heh reefer) to them as the family... the times they are a changin...



DARK STAR - June 5, 2007excommunicated

Reviewer: watusi - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 4, 2007

Subject: Seeds of things to come ... I was humming along for the I-don't-know-how-manyth-time, listening to this lovely Dark Star when a little doorway opened up in the old neural paths ... starting just after the 19 minute mark, is that the melody forming for Uncle John's Band ??? or is this just a protracted flash-around ....

Sure wish we could download more of the old soundboards ... are the family expecting me to shell out for them in CD form ?? - June 4, 2007Seeds of things to come ...

Reviewer: latefordinner - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 8, 2007

Subject: fucking brilliant! Absolutly golden moment when the miraculous becomes the inevitable. A transcendental sonic experience. He that hath ears let him hear. - April 8, 2007fucking brilliant!

Reviewer: Cliff Hucker - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 17, 2006

Subject: Amazing Dark Star! Cliff ranks this phenomenal Dark Star as the 4th or 5th best ever played... - December 17, 2006Amazing Dark Star!

Reviewer: williscat2000 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 11, 2006

Subject: stand out show Nice change from the summer coutry sound, more vintage sounding. Great sound quality, stand out of 1969 - March 11, 2006stand out show

Reviewer: flashbackmagic - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 4, 2006

Subject: Edgar Varese French composer, considered the Father of Electronic music.



"I Long for instruments obedient to my thought and whim, with their contribution of A whole new world of unsuspected sounds, which will lend themselves to the exigencies of my inner rhythm." June 1917



Its been a few months since you posted your request Dr. Flash...



Do I still win a free show? :) - February 4, 2006Edgar Varese

Reviewer: stilldancing - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 3, 2006

Subject: Great Music , I'll take half vs. none anyday This stream contains Cold Rain & Snow; Midnight Hour; Dark Star; St Stephen; The Eleven; and Death don't have no Mercy. I enjoyed Midnight hour plus Cold Rain and Snow is a fun song.

This short collection shows the versatility of the group.



oh, Edgar Varese was a composer and innovator of compositions using a variety of sounds. Shook up quite a few people in his time...just like the early impressionists did in the art world.

Lived 1883-1965...now if someone can send me the files for this show or 11/08/69 since I can no longer download them....thanks. - February 3, 2006Great Music , I'll take half vs. none anyday

Reviewer: familiarfan - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 3, 2006

Subject: Don't know

It's almost perfect what was done by the Grateful Dead over 30yrs. and the first week or so of



Damn good Dark Star in other words. The feeling omitted in this concert has the onslought of :What is? Well, we'll explain it if we can(my thoughts on the bands answer-musically)It's almost perfect what was done by the Grateful Dead over 30yrs. and the first week or so of Nov.69 '.Damn good Dark Star in other words. - February 3, 2006Don't know

Reviewer: dr. flashback - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 8, 2005

Subject: 1969 must have!! Although I think the Spring 69 period was their high point of the year in general, there are some Fall 69 shows that really stand out, and this is one of them, along with of course 11/8/69, which is Dick's Picks #16.

Too bad this is only a partial show, but you takes what you can gets in this crazy hobby! Even with the missings songs that are listed above, this would still be a much shorter show than the night before, also at the Family Dog. So I wonder if there is another set that is missing??

Anyway, as has been well noted by my esteemed reviewer mates below, this Dark Star alone makes this worth the download. When you think of the truly great 1969 Dark Stars - 3/1 and 4/5 and 4/21 and 4/27 - this one is on the same shelf. 30 minutes of

Capt. Trips and Company taking your mind back to its senses and beyond the 4th dimension.

What you get here is focused, crafted playing within every moment, creating a moving sound collage that rises, fades and spins colors in ever-changing hues and moods. This is what artful improvisation is all about. They listen, they blend, they play off each other in a seamless flow of inspired moments.

First we get a jam for about 10 minutes, just to get in the mood before the first verse. They it's off to Edgar Varese land - don't know who he is?? The Dead sure did. Any fellow music majors out there?? Win a free show - who is Varese??

But I digress - the middle territory is a jungle full of strange sounds and entities. Whirring organ, whoosing cymbals, bird-like chirping from Jerry's guitar, water sounds from Bobby. Don't get lost folks! This morphs into a fast MLB-type, or Feelin Groovy, whichever you prefer jam, followed by a rocked-out Know You Rider-ish jam before turning on a dime into - a fast 2 chord jazz riff that REALLY sounds a lot like Eyes of the World. Did the Dead suddenly jump forwards in time?? You decide.

This jam is as smooth as cream cheese on a toasted bagel.

Then they land you back into the 2nd verse with soaring blazing guitars, before gently fading away as the bells chime. A near perfect version. If 1968 can be said to be the year when they mastered The Other One, then 1969 was certainly the year that Dark Star came into its own. And what we celebrate here is a matured, late 69 version that shows all the signs of a band in its full jam potential, and they prove it for half an hour!

This Dark Star needs your full attention - take some special time to get magical, light the incense, light the candles and prepare to be enchanted.

The rest of the show is no slouch either. A strong St. Stephen is followed by an amazing, rolling, tumbling wheel on fire that is The Eleven. Phil and the drummers steal the show here - how many ways can they turn those 11 beats inside out? And finally, the Dead get back to their blues roots with a soul-wrenching version of Death Don't that sounds like Jerry's singing his last song on earth. A real spiritual experience.

Were it complete, this could almost be a top ten show for me. As it is, it's a landmark show that belongs in your 1969 collection. Enjoy!!

Dr. Flashback :-) - November 8, 20051969 must have!!

Reviewer: jammy - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 13, 2005

Subject: Great Dark Star I love this show. The Dark Star is one of my top ten and the Eleven and Death Don't are right on target imo. Download this one now especially if you like 69-70 Dead.



Personally, I don't mind partial posts if they are like this one. I know it's blasphemy, but I do edit shows from 3 disc to 2 or 2 to 1 if I won't listen to the songs. After over 800 cd's of Grateful Dead I'm becoming a bit more selective. I know some of you have all the shn's in external drives, so in case of total world destruction I should be able to get them from you. - October 13, 2005Great Dark Star

Reviewer: 003phan - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 5, 2005

Subject: Dark Star 30 plus minutes the dark star is def a stand out in the history of the deads career, but it i think most people are forgeting that they had pushed songs past 30 mins before this date, and yes better stars are out there; however, what makes this star so unique is that the boys were really jamming as a collective unit, this is an example of how a real jam band should sound. personally I think the dark star from the 10-25-1969 is better than this one, but for the 68-73 dark stars i have yet to hear one i didnt like. I give the recording a 5 and the playing a 4.75. - October 5, 2005Dark Star 30 plus minutes

Reviewer: JRimLik - favorite favorite - September 15, 2005

Subject: Come On Good Star for sure. Yet I can also think of at least 10 pretty quickly from '69-'72 that are much better. Am I the only old school Head out here who hates partial show posts? I lost a tape of this, the Midnight Hour is killer. Long Live Pigpen. - September 15, 2005Come On

Reviewer: direwolf600 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 18, 2005

Subject: Agree w/ the Captain. This Dark Star is definetely a major and significant version for the band. I have found them struggling with it though. Which isn't a bad thing necessarily. The struggle is most likely brought about by the fact that they were really pushing. That said, the parts of the 30 minutes where they are all together are really spectacular. For my money its the Eleven and Death that I really turn to this show for. There are many better DS in 72-74 that aren't halted by pig. That may seem abit harsh but I believe it. What makes the DS so incredible is that this is 1969!!!!!!!!Unreal. Its dripped so much psychodelic sweat we could start a community swimming pool. 4.5 for sound. These great pre 70s recording always blow me away. Death Don't does too. 7.5/10 - August 18, 2005Agree w/ the Captain.

Reviewer: bossgobbler - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 17, 2005

Subject: DS We always called the later part of the DS jam the "Tighten Up" jam after the Archie Bell and the Drells tune. - May 17, 2005DS

Reviewer: darkstarpat - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 3, 2005

Subject: Dark Star Jams The jam towards the end of Dark Star is brought back on the Dark Star from 10/31/71 (DP 2), and I'm sure they rocked that out other times too. - May 3, 2005Dark Star Jams

Reviewer: phleshy - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 16, 2005

Subject: Dark Star!!!! This show rates 5 stars for the 30-minute Dark Star alone. Holy shit! The jam in the middle between the 1st & 2nd verses is pure nirvana. I've never heard another Dark Star with a jam quite as melodic as this one. The boys were really on this night. That they cranked out another amazing Dark Star only six days after this amazing version is, well, amazing. - March 16, 2005Dark Star!!!!

Reviewer: capn doubledose - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 15, 2005

Subject: Is it wierd? I like the rest of the set more than this dark star however, I can now rest in knowing that the 'only the beginning' jam jer commonly went into in the middle of dark stars in this period was first rather than chicago which clearly ripped it off as they did not come out until the following year - ok I will be charitable maybe there was something in the air...



Love the descent into the eleven with jer's oooowwwh thats hot. Phil is popping away and love Tom on the Hammond. Wud like more musica here but cannot complain with the flawless sound and great vibes.... - March 15, 2005Is it wierd?

Reviewer: josewavo - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 5, 2005

Subject: Dark Star Gem! Things change and Time moves on but the bands ability to paint a canvas with their energy and interruptive powers remains one of the most significant highlights in 21st century artisctic achievements. On par with Van Gogh, Jerry's rendering of this Dark Star is so deeply personal and intuitive that it will no doubt register within you a unique and mysterious spot on your soul. It is a holy visit from the enitre band and one that will make you feel like a very welcomed guest. - February 5, 2005Dark Star Gem!

Reviewer: phishphreak81686 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 25, 2005

Subject: darkstar amazing darkstar great sound too bad the whole shows not there - January 25, 2005darkstar

Reviewer: StrawRider - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 19, 2005

Subject: Incomplete Show... ...but am I complaining? Heck no.



If Dark Star had been left off, then things would have been ugly. But I jest and borderline waste your time. Don't waste your own time by leaving this show without getting a download. If you did that then you would not hear:



Dark star crashes, pouring itÂs light into ashes.

Reason tatters, the forces tear loose from the axis.

Searchlight casting for faults in the clouds of delusion.

Shall we go, you and I while we can

Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds?



The Dark Star majestic version of this show is the most 'listenable' of any version I have heard. It's at once erie and then equally beautiful. The jam reminds me of perhaps an early germ of inspiration for Eyes of the World. I almost expected Jerry to sing "Right outside this lazy Summer home" but instead heard this:



Mirror shatters in formless reflections of matter.

Glass hand dissolving to ice petal flowers revolving.

Lady in velvet recedes in the nights of good-bye.

Shall we go, you and I while we can

Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds?



A definite landmark here. - January 19, 2005Incomplete Show...

Reviewer: gratefulshrink - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 11, 2005

Subject: Dark Star for the Ages Perhaps my favorite Dark Star (and probably the best for 1969), but, surprisingly, not on everyone's top ten list. Anyway, this one has it all -- psychedelic rock/jazz/bluegrass. Timeless. Treat your DeadHead friends to it, and turn on novices to it. - January 11, 2005Dark Star for the Ages

Reviewer: reef_1214 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 7, 2004

Subject: DARK STAR Definetely 5-star rating for this one, even though a 5-song show its still a must have for those with a weakness for '69 Dead. Main highlight being Dick's "Pick" for best Dark Star ever(rightfully so), clocked at 30 minutes. Not to mention fantastic sound quality. - November 7, 2004DARK STAR