Trailer: Thirty-Six from the Vault

Summary

Episode Overview

Episode: Trailer: Thirty-Six from the Vault
Podcast: 36 From the Vault
Hosts: Steven Hyden & Rob Mitchum
Release Date: December 31, 2019

The trailer introduces 36 From the Vault, a podcast devoted to a comprehensive exploration of the Grateful Dead's beloved Dick's Picks series. Hosts Steven Hyden and Rob Mitchum—both acclaimed music journalists—invite listeners to join them on a deep-dive journey through every volume of the celebrated live tape series. Their approach marries historical context with musical analysis and wide-ranging commentary, promising insightful, freewheeling discussions about the Dead and their enduring legacy.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introducing the Podcast (01:05 – 02:09)

• The Core Concept: A Tape by Tape Exploration

  • The hosts are embarking on a journey through each of the 36 Dick’s Picks live show releases.
  • Quote (Steven Hyden, 01:07):

    “Welcome to 36 from the Vault, a tape by tape journey through the Grateful Dead’s 36 volume Dick’s Pick series.”

  • The hosts’ shared passion as both music writers and fans of live albums underpins the project.

• Archival Releases and the Grateful Dead’s Vault

  • Rob Mitchum contextualizes the origins of Dick’s Picks, which began in 1993 and continued through 2005.
  • Dick’s Picks is named for archivist and superfan Dick Latvala, who curated shows from "across all eras."
  • Quote (Rob Mitchum, 01:32):

    “From 1993 to 2005, the Grateful Dead began releasing the first trickle of music from its legendary vault, featuring shows selected from across all eras by Dead archivist and superfan Dick Latvala.”

The Show’s Approach (01:46 – 02:09)

• Diving Into Each Volume

  • Each episode centers on a single volume of Dick’s Picks:
    • Discussing when the show was recorded and released.
    • Assessing how it holds up today.
    • Including whatever “comes to mind,” hinting at an unscripted, conversational tone.
  • Quote (Steven Hyden, 01:46):

    “In each episode, we’ll talk about one volume... discussing the context of when the show was recorded and released, how it holds up today, and anything else that comes to mind.”

• An Invitation to Listeners

  • The hosts encourage listeners to listen to the Dick’s Picks volumes along with them, emphasizing an interactive and communal experience.
  • The podcast promises a mix of history, music, and culture—focusing on the “greatest, weirdest, most unprofessional American band of all time.”
  • Quote (Rob Mitchum, 01:57):

    “We invite you to listen to each volume, then join us for a freewheeling conversation about the greatest, weirdest, most unprofessional American band of all time and the series that captured them best.”

Call to Action & Closing (02:09 – 02:29)

• Subscription Reminder
  • Steven Hyden wraps up the trailer by encouraging listeners to subscribe wherever they get their podcasts.
  • Quote (Steven Hyden, 02:09):

    “So join us on 36 from the Vault, brought to you by Osiris. Oh, and of course, please make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Setting the Scope:

  • Steven Hyden, 01:07:

    “A tape by tape journey through the Grateful Dead’s 36 volume Dick’s Pick series.”

• On the Dead’s Legacy:

  • Rob Mitchum, 01:57:

    “...the greatest, weirdest, most unprofessional American band of all time and the series that captured them best.”

• Invitation to Participate:

  • Rob Mitchum, 01:57:

    “We invite you to listen to each volume, then join us for a freewheeling conversation...”

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:05 – Podcast introduction and hosts’ opening remarks
• 01:32 – Explanation of Dick’s Picks history and its significance
• 01:46 – Outline of episode structure and topics
• 01:57 – Personal pitches and tone of the show
• 02:09 – Subscription reminder and series launch

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Summary Flow

36 From the Vault opens as an invitation—both a conversation between dedicated Deadheads and an inclusive opportunity for listeners old and new to rediscover one of rock’s most mythic live tape series. Steven Hyden and Rob Mitchum position themselves not as gatekeepers, but as guides and fellow explorers, bringing both expertise and easygoing fandom. Their approach blends deep archival love with the kind of cultural curiosity that places the Grateful Dead in a broad, ever-evolving context. The tone is informal, enthusiastic, and accessible—ideal for anyone interested in the band, the series, or the art of the live album itself.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Take a step back. Take another step back. Take another step back welcome to 36 from the Vault, a tape by Tape journey through the Grateful Dead's 36 volume Dick's Pick series. I'm Stephen Hyden.

[C]

And I'm Rob Mitchum.

[B]

We're two music writers who love the Dead and love live albums. We especially love deep dives into the archives of beloved classic rock bands.

[C]

From 1993 to 2005, the Grateful Dead began releasing the first trickle of music from its legendary vault, featuring shows selected from across all eras by Dead archivist and superfan Dick Lotvalla.

[B]

In each episode, we'll talk about one volume of the Dix Pick Series series, discussing the context of when the show was recorded and released, how it holds up today, and anything else that comes to mind.

[C]

We invite you to listen to each volume, then join us for a freewheeling conversation about the greatest, weirdest, most unprofessional American band of all time and the series that captured them best.

[B]

So join us on 36 from the vault, brought to you by Osiris. Oh, and of course, please make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

[D]

This is Lawrence Lanahan, journalist, musician and host of Rearranged, an Osiris Media podcast about music arranging. Once a song is written, arrangers make musical decisions that shape how we end up hearing the song. And we're not just talking about adding orchestral accompaniment like horns and strings, or doing a cover version of a song. Arrangement can be putting happy music over dark lyrics, using samples, recording all acoustic, even tiny decisions like putting an electronic loop into an acoustic song to draw your attention to an important turn of phrase. It's all arranging. Rearranged Episodes are documentary essays where I use arrangements to answer some big questions like what is a song? And what can a song become? And how can the sound of a song change the meaning you take from it? Listening this way has changed my relationship with music. Tune in to Rearranged and maybe it'll happen for you too. Learn [e-mail].

[C]

Osiris.