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    heatherlew
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    "We left with our minds sufficiently blown and still peaking..."

    We're headed back to that peak with the newly returned tapes from Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, 11/6/77. The Grateful Dead's last touring show of 1977 finds them going for broke, taking chances on fan favorites like "Jack Straw," "Friend Of The Devil," and "The Music Never Stopped," carving out righteous grooves on a one-of-kind "Scarlet>Fire" and a tremendous "Truckin'." An ultra high energy show, with a first set that rivals the second? Not unheard of, but definitely rare. Hear for yourself...

    DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 25 features liner notes by Rob Bleetstein, photos by Bob Minkin, and original art by our 2018 Dave's Picks Artist-In-Residence Tim McDonagh. As always, it has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and it is limited to 18,000 individually numbered copies*.

    *Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

    Get one before they are gone, gone, gone.

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  • JDSept
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    There is much good stuff from
    There is much good stuff from the 80s and some in the 90s even, though way less. I do gravitate to the late 60s and early 70s though, perhaps my so liking Pig.
  • ckcoffman
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    Jack Straw name?
    @JimInMD: I always assumed, as you have, that Hunter got "Jack Straw" from his time in London in 1970. I have it in my head (source?) that his preferred stomping ground in that burg is that space between Hampstead Heath and Regent's Park, which puts him in walking range of (the now sadly defunct) Jack Straw's Castle, which was until its close one of three of the most notable pubs in Hampstead. Rather than being named after a '70s politician, this establishment must have taken its name from the rebel Jack Straw of English folklore and 14th-century history. In short, my speculation is that his rambling landed him in the pub, and the name inspired him to make an American folk character out of a British historical legend. That's my story, but I'd love to hear a clarification/correction if anyone has better source notes on this than I do.
  • PatrickJP07
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    Is this venue the same as Broome County Forum ?
    I saw Phish there in 1992, and remembered the building had amazing acoustics. Like the Bushnell in Hartford, or the Beacon in NYC. Is it the same place with a slight name change ? I also agree with M Pruner about 1977, it was a great time for the band, possibly even their water mark, but enough's enough. How about Brendan Byrne 11-10-85 ? Out of the 40 shows I saw, it was easily the best. They put the Cassidy from it on "So Many Roads", how about the rest ?
  • danc
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    pre Lewiston 1980....
    I am surprised more has not been selected for release from the vault. There are great snippets of board recordings on the archive (e.g. 5-10, fantastic show). The year seemed fabulous for Jerry, I bet fans would love to hear much more. As for Lewiston, I think it should be released, if possible, as an aud if that's all there is.
  • Lightfoot510
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    KyleHarmon
    Dont forget the raw jelly beans
  • icecrmcnkd
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    Haven’t listened to this show in months
    Looking forward to the Full Norman (hopefully not too much added bass).This show was in regular rotation when I had it on cassette, so I know it well but am still psyched to get a Normanized version. I’ll listen to it many times. We’ll have enough ‘77 when we have it all..... Keep the 80’s and 90’s coming as mini-Boxes.... We’re due for some Bruce! How about 10-31-91?
  • mustin321
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    1982
    I love the Road Trips show from 1982 --- Really good sound quality. The Dicks Picks from Alpine 1982 is such an amazing show but it's probably the worst sounding official release out there, IMO.
  • Dark-Star
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    great pick
    If the powers-that-be read this, I would lobby for continued 60s and 70s. I have several friends who feel the same way, and I know from discussions with people on the message boards, that a lot of people are very pleased with this run of shows in Dave's Picks. I don't think they would be up to 18,000 copies per pick if every year featured two 80s and 90s picks. It's just not their prime, and and not their best stuff. I'd rather have 20 shows from 1977 then a mix of 80s and 90s with the 60s and 70s. That's my feeling and I'm sticking to it. The musicianship and performance by all band members is superior in the 60s and 70s by far. As far as this subscriber is concerned, there is no need to go into the 80s or 90s for this series. This series represents the very best of the Dead, and not just performance, but audio quality, and you guys are doing an awesome job.
  • claney
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    Road Trips 1982
    Hey Jack Strawberry, I like 1982 also. A peak year for Brent's greasy organ sound, and the Playin's have some flashes of primal dead. In addition to the aforementioned DP32, there is also the outstanding Road Trips 4.4, April 6, 1982. Great show, actually pretty good sound quality too, and with killer filler (Playin > Ship > Playin) from the previous night. But best of all, it has what might be my favorite version of Terrapin. Should still be able to find it, or you can listen to it on Spotify. Enjoy! PS - as Jim says, nice screen name
  • daverock
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    Happy Days
    I like shows from 1977-the box set last year from May was great-and 1976, 1978 also have a lot to recommend them. But for me, the peak years are pre-retirement, with the absolute pinnacle being 1972. Everything about that year ( almost everything-I am not so keen on the extended "Good Lovin's) is exceptional. Even songs that have been heard countless times sound sparkling and somehow new. But we are spoiled now, as was said on the other website. Compared to life in the 80s and 90s, when all I had were some very dubious cassettes, these are golden days indeed. I can't throw my cassettes away, either, though. They remind me of another time, long gone, when I would drive to a mates house, and we would listen to tapes, as he generously made copies. Happy days then and now.
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"We left with our minds sufficiently blown and still peaking..."

We're headed back to that peak with the newly returned tapes from Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, 11/6/77. The Grateful Dead's last touring show of 1977 finds them going for broke, taking chances on fan favorites like "Jack Straw," "Friend Of The Devil," and "The Music Never Stopped," carving out righteous grooves on a one-of-kind "Scarlet>Fire" and a tremendous "Truckin'." An ultra high energy show, with a first set that rivals the second? Not unheard of, but definitely rare. Hear for yourself...

DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 25 features liner notes by Rob Bleetstein, photos by Bob Minkin, and original art by our 2018 Dave's Picks Artist-In-Residence Tim McDonagh. As always, it has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and it is limited to 18,000 individually numbered copies*.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

Get one before they are gone, gone, gone.

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I forgot I like smokin lightning!
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.... enlighten me, and you'll get a good ole pat on the back. Universal. Beastie Boys on cue. Then a 1974 Jai-Alai nitecap. My Sunday night setlist.
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This is surely one of the great weeks to be listening to anniversary shows-this week back in 1969. I missed out on the box set, but I've got quite a lot of music from the run, dotted about here and there. Some on legitimate releases-and some not. I cracked open the three cd set this morning which is focussed on February 28th mainly, and is defined by Pigpen sung covers, with superlative blues licks from the man with the guitar. Its been said before, but it would be great if these shows could be released individually, like the ones form Europe 72.
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Wow, what a weird coincidence! I got home the other night and found front door jimmied, only thing I could find missing was DaP 10 Bonus disc AND my last chocolate chip enhanced cookie.
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...hello and good morning to all. I hope everyone is having a grateful day! ...out of 22 shows, I have 19 shows available. Five are opened in great condition. The rest of the shows are still sealed primo condition...need to sell some of my collection for medical bills. If anyone is interested please feel free to send me a message. :)
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Pershing Municipal AuditoriumLincoln, Nebraska http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/02-26-1973 This is an amazing show that is really well-played throughout. There is so much that is so absolutely mind blowing here, but the Dark Star> Eyes is interstellarly awesome. Of course, a very sharp recording of this fine show was released as Dick's Picks Volume 28.
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Swing AuditoriumSan Bernardino, California http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/02-26-1977 Our Dead of the Day comes from February 26, 1977 at the Swing Auditorium. The show not only opens the fabulous ’77 campaign and contains the first live versions of two of the truly great Dead tunes – Terrapin Station and Estimated Prophet – but it throws smoke and spits flames. The Terrapin opens the show and, though it is not a jammed out epic of biblical proportions, it is pretty damn solid. Right afterwards, the Minglewood about brings down the house as the crowd erupts. No doubt, it is a fiery version with Jerry blazing on the guitar and Bobby really bringing it on the vocals. And the show continues apace until things ratchet up a notch more with the Help> Slip> Franklin’s. The Help begins the suite in epic fashion, and then the band plumbs the very core of the underworld with arcing earthquakes of monumental jamming on Slipknot! before catching the timbre of the bell in Franklin’s Tower and emerging into a phenomenal wonderland filled with billowing fields of beautiful vocals, resonant bass, fine rhythm, and Garcia’s guitar, hovering over it all. A down and dirty, fully rocked out Promised Land makes way for a short but earth-shattering Eyes. And, the Shakedown will keep rocking you to your bones in disco fashion.
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I got it, but don't have the booklet. Can somebody make a copy of booklet for me? Thanx.
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I'm interested in those E72's if still available, thanks!
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Shakedown on 2/26/77? Methinks you made an error. Shakedown debuted on 8/31/78.
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That would be a disco "Dancin'", not Shakedown, though cynical Deadheads might say "Same thing!" or "If you play Dancing' backwards, Shakedown comes out!" I love the disco influence on the Dead - I think it introduced funk (more than disco) to the Dead's repertoire, which was refreshing and fun. The disco influence not only brought about Shakedown and disco-Dancin', but also Feel Like a Stranger (rhythm guitar part totally has a disco/funk "Stayin Alive" vibe) and even St of Circumstance (the bouncy bright chorus could be KC and the Sunshine Band) 2 years later on Go To Heaven. A good place to check out Shakedown or St. of Circumstance funk vibe would be....maybe late 1980... out in the river all ugly and mean....
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I prefer Zappa's live stuff---there is now a lot of it out there. Try: Wazoo (not Grand Wazoo) Imaginary Diseases Buffalo Little Dots Road Trips No. 2 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, No. 2 Of course, there is the three disk compilation of guitar solos only edits known as 'Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar'.
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Any peachheads here? Trying to track down some unofficial releases.
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But doing the 2-26-73 anniversary tonight. Due to all the ‘79 talk several days ago I’ve got 8-31-79 going in the car. Several AUD splices, one during Estimate>Eyes where someone was clapping near the mics. Surprised the tapers didn’t throw a fit
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I might be able to help. PM me.
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"And I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought the Dead were a heavy metal band when you first heard their name." Remember taping a penny on that card for Columbia House? Yeah. I did too. Bought the What a Long Strange Trip DLP Best of with the spooky red and black skeleton cover art. Pulled the records out hoping to get something like Blue Oyster Cult or Judas Priest or Black Sabbath. Was a little disappointed but surprised in a good way too. The year was 1978 or 9. Took me at least 2 more decades to fully "get" the GoGD.
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"...someone was clapping near the mics. Surprised the tapers didn’t throw a fit" Tapers don't throw fits. That clapping stopped when the medicated blow dart hit the clapper on the ass. Those amazing AUDs are no accident...
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Ha.. I think I did that once. "Took me at least two more decades to fully get the GoGD" I didn't really know that much about the GoGD before my first show, knew the radio tunes, UJB/Truckin/KCJones, etc.. my brother had an 8track of Terrapin, listened to that once or twice before my first show. I didn't know I was going until the night before, so it came pretty unexpectedly.. I do recall exactly how long it took me to get it though. It took me two hits of good blotter and a long, fright-filled night, but by the next morning I had seen the light. I don't think I have been the same since, but in a good way.
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Opened the second set with: The Weight Help/Slipknot!/Eyes of the World And a fine and dandy Dark Star as I write this. It ain't the Jerry Garcia Grateful Dead, but these guys are giving it their all.. again, in a very good way. What fun! Wish I was there. Edit: If D&C isn't your thing.. I implore you to give a decent version of Eyes of the World a spin and try to focus on the keys.
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yeah, took 'em a while to figure out why ALL the folks in the trip tent had tix near the tapers!
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There were trip tents? Didn't get that memo. On a related note.. I am pretty sure I posted years back about Kimba, our dart catching cat.. Perhaps she knew they were Owsley dipped darts? But this cat could catch darts.. it was amazing. Never once got stabbed by the dart. Her catches were always clean. I wish YouTube existed then.. RIP Kimba, the dart catching cat. She always used to come down into the basement late night.. when we were getting stoned, hanging out and listening to GD and Jimi Hendrix.. She wasn't too good at pool, she'd toss in the queue ball as often as any, but she excelled at dart catching. She was just ok at beer pong.. She seemed to like to party and hang out with us into the wee hours in the basement when we were up to no good.
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28th February 1969 is incredible. The first set is rock solid=a bit like a having a meal before going out.The second set is just about as good it gets. From the opening Other One to one of the most explosive Alligator-Caution jams I have ever heard. Golden music.
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Dang! I am fully on board: That show last night was something else. Especially the aforementioned second set ridiculousness of Help>Slip>EYES>Dark Star....I mean, c'mon. That's like a dream setlist right there for Sixtus. They also pulled off a Bird Song > New Speedway > Bird Song in the first...another first? Sheesh. What fun this is all turning out to be. Sixtus
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http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/02-27-1969 "The only group in the business that can drive you insane and still make it all worthwhile, the Grateful Dead." - Bill Graham Our Dead of the Day is a soaring, multi-faceted, and beautiful beast from 1969. If you have ever listened to Live/Dead, then you have already heard parts of this show. The sumptuous, attention-grabbing throb of Phil’s bass ringing out to proclaim the oncoming gem of a Dark Star followed by the fast and tight, utterly stratospheric Saint Stephen are both culled from this night at the Fillmore West. But as you listen to the entire recording here, you will wonder how they ever made the decision to forgo the mind-blowing matter that fills the rest of this show. The Other One Suite is a thoroughbred of face-melting jamming, the Eleven is perfection embodied as the band streaks through the nursery rhyme-like lyrics and stretches the possibilities of musical exploration within that tight little tune, and Pigpen delivers again on the Schoolgirl and Lovelight, making you realize what a consummate bluesman and provocateur he was. Not only did the band incorporate portions of this night on Live/Dead, they also released the entire show as part of the limited edition Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings and a sort of highlight 3-disc set of the four 1969 San Francisco Fillmore shows as Fillmore West 1969. Back in November of 1969 when it was released, Live/Dead was a watershed for the band. Recorded by Bear over three different nights (January 26 and March 3, 1969 were the other two), the double album brought the Dead’s improvisational live style to the masses, converting thousands of fans both at the time and in the decades since. The album also proved to be somewhat of a commercial success, reaching number sixty-four on the chart and temporarily satisfying Warner Bros. Listening to the full show from each of the nights that contributed to Live/Dead is a real treat that anyone who has ever marveled at that album’s awesome Dark Star> Stephen> Eleven and incredible Lovelight should experience. Go ahead and fire this one up now.
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Happy anniversary to one of the most famous dark stars ever. Every note of this beautiful journey is etched in my head forever.
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But I find all 4 Fillmore West Dark Stars from that box set are awesome. I didn't grow up on Live Dead though, so give it to me: am I selling 2/27 short by saying 2/28, 3/1, and 3/2 are as good? No offense taken if you need to tell me I've pushed the weed into the bong water on this one - afterall, my PhD is in Europe '72, not Fillmore West '69.
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Probably the most important run of their careers, and the one official release that should never have been a limited edition set. This is where the masses are deprived of the one set of shows every Deadhead should own. They don't follow the original advertisement for the Dave's picks series as being a broad representation of their entire 30 year career. Why do they choose to follow the original advertisement of assuring FW '69 will never be released again? Makes no sense. Have money will spend...willing to spend for the benefit of the band, family trusts and those who work on making these available.....just not on the overly inflated cost to the benefit of second hand marketeers.
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I have a hard time comparing one of these shows to the next. I find myself drawn towards 2/28 because of the Dew, but that's just me. It's so similar to E72 in that each show is spectacular in it's own way. I wouldn't work too many brain cells trying to compare. The best is clearly the one you are listening to now.
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Yes, I agree 100%. Shameful that this release should have been confined to a limited edition release. Surely it would have recouped the money invested in it if it had been made available to music lovers as well as collectors. Obviously, I missed out. I wasn't online at the time of its release. My 3cd set has 2005 as a release date, so maybe enough time has passed to shrug of its limited edition status and put it out again as a box set. Or even release the individual shows, like they have done with Europe 72. I would buy all of them. I have the music from this run on Live Dead, the 3 cd set, So Many Roads and bootlegs of 28th February and 1st March. I would gladly get rid of the bootlegs if I could buy the music officially-in cd form-not as digital download. I would never get rid of Live Dead. Obviously.
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I agree that these show feature similar jams. But to me, the respective first sets provide markedly different foundations on which the second sets are built. The 28th is more blues based, and seems to build in power to reach an incredible crescendo several hours later. 1st March seems more psychedelic - there can't be many shows that START with the Other One. It features more Aoxomoxoa songs, as well as the great-and I believe final-New Potato Caboose. I haven't played the March show for a while, so the details elude me at this moment in time. But its on my play list.
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Here is a link to a page reprinting the initial press release/sales pitch:http://deadnews.blogspot.com/2005/07/fillmore-west-1969-complete-record… The important part: "there will be no second pressings or reprints. Once they're gone, they're gone for good." Ever see them say anything so clear and complete about a limited edition again? Now they artfully phrase the statement to provoke you to rush to buy while leaving themselves a loophole or two. I do think they should go against their statement. The spreading of these epiphinal recordings to the appreciative masses is a moral good that outweighs the moral bad of breaking their word, imo. (FYI, I bought the box when it initially came out.) But not everyone will agree with me... TPTB must know the money is out there waiting to buy these shows, so TPTB must have a good reason to be afraid to put them out again. Wish we could get an insider statement to clarify everything. As it is, our imaginations are left to make up the story.
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I think Rhino Entertainment is sticking to their word. My solution: re-release each show individually with new artwork - the colors are too sedate, something more vivid and the discs should be more colorful and vivid also. The front cover graphics should stay. Do not reissue the book or the bonus disc at this time. Limited Editions of these 4 re-releases: ??? (Not)
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Hasn't the statute of limitations run out already on this one? Seems like I have been chasing a copy for decades.. $500?? Nope. Reissue this sucker, please, make it a fundraiser, whatever, it belongs in the National Archives. The inflated secondary market does nothing for the original band members. LiveDead (vinyl natch) went to college with me in 1970, essential for survival, the roomies did not understand why that music had to be played so frequently... (what is wrong with him?)... To think there's stuff from that run I have not yet heard. My sincere thanks to someone who recently made a copy of Munich 5.18.72 available at the F&F discount, you know who you are. Black Uhuru's Brutal is on the way. Here's a listening suggestion, big 50th coming up, another seminal (Ok, maybe a pun) musical event: Cream stint at Winterland, March 1968. Though sonically flawed, excellent soundboards are out there on the web, drums and bass better defined than available on cd, IMHO at least for now. Some kind of release coming in April. Scuse me if anyone has recently reminded of this.
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Hasn't the statute of limitations run out already on this one? Seems like I have been chasing a copy for decades.. $500?? Nope. Reissue this sucker, please, make it a fundraiser, whatever, it belongs in the National Archives. The inflated secondary market does nothing for the original band members. LiveDead (vinyl natch) went to college with me in 1970, essential for survival, the roomies did not understand why that music had to be played so frequently... (what is wrong with him?)... To think there's stuff from that run I have not yet heard. My sincere thanks to someone who recently made a copy of Munich 5.18.72 available at the F&F discount, you know who you are. Black Uhuru's Brutal is on the way. Here's a listening suggestion, big 50th coming up, another seminal (Ok, maybe a pun) musical event: Cream stint at Winterland, March 1968. Though sonically flawed, excellent soundboards are out there on the web, drums and bass better defined than available on cd, IMHO at least for now. Some kind of release coming in April. Scuse me if anyone has recently reminded of this.
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Great news that Cream at Winterland 1968 is getting an official release. Far too little live material available by this incredible and massively influential band.
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This should be available to allIf you don't have it, PM me
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.
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2/27 is King, a psychedelic journey across the comsos. 2/28 is a darker and more frightful journey, but nearly as good. I do find that the Dark Stars get weaker as the run progresses, but that doesn't mean much when you start with 2/27. 3/2 is the only one I find a step down from the rest. 2/27 > 2/28 >> 3/1 >>>> 3/2
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"Why do they choose to follow the original advertisement of assuring FW '69 will never be released again?" because they don't care. sad but true (I hear James Hetfield's voice as I write that). they got the money, they done now. and I don't know why there isn't more representation from the 30 year career, although it was dangled in front of us (giggity) (that topic has been done TO DEATH, as we all know.) more variety would be nice. allowing another chance to purchase the FW69 thingie again would be extremely nice, PTB. I have mo' money available now than I did when the thing was first released. (when was that?)
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listening to Zappa's "Guitar" release. There is a track that has a theme that sounds a lot like Fire on the Mountain from Egypt 9/16/78.
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Actually they ...Rhino The Dead everyone related to the releases, care a lot. They care about something business and people often unfortunately don't give a hoot about. Their word. Why don't they rerelease '69? Because they said they wouldn't. Nobody's perfect including me but I try and the older I get the better I do. What I truely don't get is someone being willing to advertise their word means nothing.
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"This special release is a LIMITED EDITION BOX SET of 10,000 units. Each box set will be individually numbered out of 10,000, and there will be no second pressings or reprints. Once they're gone, they're gone for good." I read this as there will be no reprints of this "special release", there's nothing that says they cannot issue the shows individually. That would not affect the resale value of the original, numbered set either.
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