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Pacific Northwest ’73-’74: The Complete Recordings Boxed Set
WHAT'S INSIDE:
6 Complete Shows On 19 Discs
• 6/22/73 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.
• 6/24/73 Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
• 6/26/73 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA
• 5/17/74 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.
• 5/19/74 Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
• 5/21/74 Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Mastered in HDCD from the original master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering
Masters transferred and restored by Plangent Processes
Original Art by First Nations Artist Roy Henry Vickers
Photos by Richie Pechner
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
Includes an immediate digital download of "Eyes Of The World (P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada 5/17/74)"
"We were in the Pacific Northwest...between somewhere in Washington and some other where in Oregon. The road took us to the lip on a ridge, from where we could see around us for many miles in all directions … It was breathtaking to behold, but as we watched, we had a firm realization that we were witnessing something even more beautiful than our eyes could ever take in … Life causes life. Heaven and Earth dance in this way endlessly, and their child is the forest. And so there we were, epiphanously watching that grandest and most glorious dance of life—of which we are just a tiny part—awed by a magnificence without beginning, without end..."
Bob Weir, “Sell Headwaters—Everyone Wins,” San Francisco Chronicle
The Pacific Northwest offers up a rich feast of land, sky, and water. It is ripe with influences, abundant with symbols, deep and spirited. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the Grateful Dead played some of their most inspired shows on these fertile grounds. It does, however, sometimes take a breath for the elements to re-align years later. It seems for us, they finally have and we are able to present not just a glimpse of the band's extraordinary exploratory tour through the region, but a two-tour bounty as the PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS.
For PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, we've paired two short runs made up of six previously unreleased shows - P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C. (6/22/73); Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR (6/24/73); Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA (6/26/73); P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada (5/17/74); Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR (5/19/74); and Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (5/21/74). Each show has been mastered in HDCD from the original master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. The transfers from the masters were transferred and restored by Plangent Processes, further ensuring that this is the best, most authentic that these shows have ever sounded.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS comes in an ornate box created by Canada’s preeminent First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers (more on this tremendous artist soon). To complement the music, the set also includes a 64-page book with an in-depth essay by Grateful Dead scholar Nicholas G. Meriwether and photos by Richie Pechner.
Due September 7th, this release is limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively from dead.net. You'll want to grab a copy while you can and sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks.
Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day. You can pre-order it now too.
Get it while you can.
The strangest of emails
I got it too. Is it phishing, and I don't mean the band, or is it a harmless aberration? I would not have opened it if I realized it was appearing in nearly everyone's emails. Should I close my account here and open a new one? Or just change my password? Advice please.
China>Rider
The China >rider from 5/19/74 is amazing. I've heard it before but guess it never really grabbed me until my drive this morning. So many gifts in this box...
#03781 arrived!
My box made it safe & sound (and luckily 100% complete & virtually flawless) to the lowlands of Holland. Very impressed with the overall look and feel. It’s just stunning in appearance, and the box just seems to radiate positive ‘vibes’. It will look wonderful in my music room. Unpacking and checking the contents felt ritualistic, and I intend to carefully organise the listening experience in a similar way.
haven't used account within last 5 years?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I visit this site at least _daily_.
"The Email"
Yep...I got one too. Kind of bizarre as I'm on this site nearly daily. Maybe they flagged me because I haven't "logged-off" in the last five years??....LOL
PNW delivers big!
Just finished listening to all 6 CD’s in the new Pacific Northwest box set and holy moly I am blown away by how good the music is and how well they played during those years! Fricking blown away! Until now ‘73 was like a secret mistress, called upon when in the mood for something raw and uninhibited, and rarely bragged about due to embarrassment. 1977 was their best year, especially May through December. Not anymore. These discs reveal the Dead as a band playing on all cylinders sans a drummer obviously, but with a keyboardist (and classically trainer pianist) who was somewhat sober and happy tickling those ivory keys behind the ever improving voice of Garcia (and Weir). I think the ‘74 shows are a little more mature yet still preserve the rawness we all search for in our music/lovers.Did I say it was good?
Always On
With this box set clocking in at a little over 20 hours of listening time, I've come to realize that not only do I own an absurd amount of Grateful Dead, but also that it all gets listened to consistently.
Whether it's at work, in the car, at the gym, while I'm kicking around the yard, or chilling in an enhanced state on the couch, everything Dead that I own is in near constant rotation.
That's not to say I don't listen to any other music. I do. But the Dead fill most of my listening time, more so as I've gotten older.
I've played the Pacific Northwest from beginning to end several times now, and I'm loving it more and more. Seems like there's always some new discovery that catches my ear. But that's how it rolls with most of their shows. The magic is in the detail.
Box + Zorn Box
Glad everyone is enjoying the box. I opened mine up for a quality inspection when I got home last night but didn't have time for any listening, so I'm excited to start with the first show tonight with a glass or 4 of some good pinot. Can't believe some have made it all the way through this thing already, but that's great! I agree, the packaging is great and mine appears to be in fine fettle.
Any Zorn fans out there? He's releasing an 11 disc box of the third book of Masada called Book of Beriah. It's going to be pretty nuts based on some of the clips I've heard. I had the pleasure of seeing Zorn's Simulcrum in Chicago a few weeks back and it was killer. Medeski is always a treat to hear. If anyone's interested in that there's a 30 minute video someone posted to youtube.
Can't wait to get home tonight and start listening to this box. Cheers!
The email weirdness
As long as you didn't click on the link in the email you should be good. I got it too and came here to log in just in case. I did not go through the email link. It has been a few months since I posted so I thought it might be legit till I saw the 5 year thing. I knew it was junk at that point. Anyway, glad to see everyone enjoying the amazing box. I got the 3 disc version and it's awesome so far.
Two boxes landed in Denver yesterday
Gorgeous box, all discs intact and looking good. #14,533 I think. One sealed for my buddy in the foothills. We're gathering tonight for the 4-disc show, over 4 hours! Really happy to have summer '73 shows and we'll drink something Canadian in honor, while loca-vaping.
I was thinking when it arrived, man, they're doing a lot of packaging, maybe they should try a stripped down box that's less elaborate... then I thought, well, no, Dave & Co. are seizing opportunities to present the GD archive in a thoughtful, respectful, creative way and this is good. Best artwork yet, equal to the E72 and TTATS efforts. The price remains in the $10/disc range and how better to honor the band's legacy than to really do it up.
I called for Summer '73 and I got it. Plus, six big shows. We're going to take a few months to absorb these shows, as we took 2 1/2 years to enjoy all the shows in the E72 box.
Ladies & Gentlemen: enjoy!
Seattle 73’
Just finished listening to Black Peter as I work my way through this amazing show and had to stop and comment on Black Peter. I’ve heard this song from dozens of shows but this one was so remarkable It was like hearing it for the first time. Just such a delicate approach.
The surprises just keep coming. I’m so glad we own this piece of Dead history.
Roy Henry Vickers
If you're ever in Tofino BC I recommend checking out Roy Henry Vickers gallery. Lots of amazing art.
1973
Having listened to the three '73 shows (and every other official '73 release), I just want to say, "THANK YOU!" The performances are among the best from their arguably best year, but the sound quality is so good that it's hard for me to believe. Every instrument is clear; Weir's guitar playing receives its due; and the soundstage--the word audio nerds use to describe the feeling that each instrument and vocal is in a specific place--is just about perfect. I don't know how the team achieved this from 45-year-old two-track tapes, but it's rare to find such quality in concert recordings made with dozens of tracks today. Every person involved, from Rex Jackson and Kidd Candelario and every roadie who stacked a speaker, through the digital wizards who touched the tapes and digital files, deserves credit. The problems heard in the first few songs of each concert (and Weir's vocals on the first disc of the Seattle show) were part of the original shows, I'm sure. Now I'm salivating with anticipation for '74.
That Weird Email
...I got it too; I thought maybe it was for another account I had opened a while ago and had forgotten about, but it gives me solace to know I'm not going crazy cause it was a weird one to get considering I'm on here pretty frequently.
Box is fun so far. Peeled back that Dark Star with Gus West's help last night. Man, that pre-drums segment with Phil playing that mad jazzy baseline sure is fun. They touch on that motif throughout '73 during Dark Star, but it is very nicely fleshed out here. It gets a little out there before the ripping Eyes - a transition I hate....said no one EVER!
Happy Friday in Deadland peeps.
Sixtus
Mix seems off - Source issue?
Not sure if it's me, but there seems to be some issues with the mix on many of the songs. Especially with the first few songs on each disc. For instance the "Promised Land" opener in Vancouver '74 is all Keith and Billy, and everyone else is barely audible then Everyone cuts out except Billy and it gets REALLY choppy. The "Bertha" on Vancouver '73 is all over the place, first just guitar, with only a slight whisper of Jerry singing, then toward the middle it's all Billy's bass drum and high-hat.
I've noticed a lot of fading in and out throughout many of he shows that I listened to, vocals there one minute, gone the next, can't hear guitars to ALL guitars and nothing else The one steady is Billy, he's loud on almost everything. A few times his high-hats came out of no where so loud I jumped and took my headphones off thinking there was someone in my house. Is it issues with the source tapes, mix, discs or just me?
Mix seems off? No, just not dialed in yet.
No, many '73 shows see the mix dialed in during the opening songs. Same thing with 5/26/73 Kezar. they usually get it tight by the 2nd or 3rd song.
Not sure why this occurs so much in '73 in particular, but it does. I guess they just didn't have time for soundcheck at some of these shows.
Mix seems off - Source issue?
Thanks. I asked a buddy and he said his is the same way. That Promised Land opener on Vancouver '74 is just a mess.
weird email
did u respond to it?I did just now, hope it wasn't a scam/hacker ... the site was down yesterday for a while. they said they hadn't heard from me in 5 yrs and were going to purge me, I though it was an old acct I forgot about. crud! I clicked the link and redid my password, then redid it again out of fear of a hack. better redo it again, damn.
EMAIL notice
I got the email too. And I am on here logging in quite frequently.... Anyway, I listened to the sampler 3 CD set via streaming. I just know I have to go for this box set. Hope they are still in stock come November
Good and slow
Swinging good and slow with my sweet honey to Black Peter Vancouver ‘73, just the way it ought to be.
2-track tape mixes
I understand that at the time these tapes were made, there was a separate mixing console for the tape. It was mixed on the fly with headphones real time and recorded to 2-track such that the mix could not be changed further. I think the issues we hear on these tapes are because the mix for the tape was being adjusted during the first few songs. Taping was not the priority so it received attention after the house was dialed in and all other 40 foot cockroaches were ironed out. I don't think the audience at these shows were hearing what we hear on the tapes in terms of mix and balance of instruments.
Re: Two Track Mixes & First Review of the Box
wadeocu, I suspect you are correct on all counts.
Call me crazy, but I enjoy hearing them dial in the mixes.. it never bothered me. I enjoy hearing them crank someone up, dial them back.. hearing just one or two people for a few moments, then dialing another person in. It's interesting and dare I say fun. It gives me some reference for separating out the individuals later on in the show and focus on their sound and contributions.
I guess I don't plan on playing any of these intro songs for a critical audience. Things don't have to be practically perfect all time.. at least to me.
I just finished ripping and re-doing the metadata for all these shows.. what a chore, I bet I am not the only one that is OCD that all is done correctly. As for the discs, no scratches, no scuffs, no skips, PITB is the right length.. the box is beautiful. So far so good.
I got to thinking about this before HendrixFreak made his post earlier today. I really don't place a lot of emphasis on the swag and box, etc. It mostly just sits on the shelf.. but it's cool and I do enjoy it, especially the liner notes and such. That being said.. I am glad they took the extra effort to make this special. H.F. is right.. the music deserves a little pomp and circumstance. They only get once chance to make a statement and this is a little piece of history. As for Roy Henry Vickers, Tofino (it's a really cool place) has been on my list for some time.. I plan to go there sometime over the next few years and thanks to the suggestion of someone else further on this thread I will definitely stop by and check out his studio/work/gallery.
There was discussion on the numbers left.. etc. and I was fairly confident this would be selling into Christmas and into next year. It is selling faster than I thought. I'm not surprised this really is a special release. If you're on the fence.. hopefully you will find a way and find some scratch to get one. I hope in six months time there aren't too many people kicking themselves in the ass because they waited and it sold out. There is still some time.. but this ranks up there.
Anyway.. it really doesn't take much to make me happy, this is a good release. Really happy the folks across the pond and around the world are getting theirs essentially the same time as us. Oh, and Sixtus.. it's quite possible, even probably you are going crazy just like the rest of us.
Happy Friday all, great box.
I agree with MDJim about the first songs
Everything seems right when everything comes together after a few minutes... always enjoyed that... makes you happy they didn't open 6/22/73 with Bird Song or 6/24/73 with Dark Star.. Some of the Promised Lands just get sacrificed so everything else is brilliant as can be!! have a good weekend bob t
Great Stuff
I’m not sure what I’ll do with the 1/10 scale coffee table it came in but I agree with the sentiment that the music deserves the “treasure chest” presentation.
The songs so far (just got through the 45 min PITB...). The one that jumped out at my was the 5/19/74 “Wharf Rat”, psychedelic chicken pickin’ at the end. Wow. Jerry will be with us...always...
I also concur that “Bertha”, etc. seem to be used to tune the spaceship properly before they really blast off!
Great Stuff
I’m not sure what I’ll do with the 1/10 scale coffee table it came in but I agree with the sentiment that the music deserves the “treasure chest” presentation.
The songs so far (just got through the 45 min PITB...). The one that jumped out at my was the 5/19/74 “Wharf Rat”, psychedelic chicken pickin’ at the end. Wow. Jerry will be with us...always...
I also concur that “Bertha”, etc. seem to be used to tune the spaceship properly before they really blast off!
Like no other
I've not been to the northwest, but I'd have to assume there's nothing like what I'm looking at elsewhere in the country. The lines and color scheme of black, light blue and blood-red seem to be unique to the area. I'm well-familiar with 6/22 and have heard others from the box, but the sound alone of this is going to be an experience like no other.Como siempre, mil gracias.
Why I like boxes
I get that a lot of people love/hate these ornate boxes, and I'd like weigh in on the significance of packaging. When I buy these box sets, it is for the music. I don't dislike the packaging (okay, maybe GSTL, or anything else that does violence to my discs), but I don't particularly like it.
But whenever I open up the shipping package and pull out the box within, my partner always screams, "OH WOW! IT'S SO COOL AND BEAUTIFUL - CAN I HAVE IT?!" So she takes it and adores it and puts other things in it - photos or earrings or whatever.
She's by no means a Head, though she digs the music. But she's slowly coming over to the Dead side, and the pretty packaging helps that little bit extra.
Leftover Salmon and Other Ones...
If the box is too cumbersome, nothing stops one from pulling the shows out, putting the box in storage (or letting yr sig other have it) and putting the digipacks on the shelf alongside yr Dick's & Dave's Picks. /just saying
Box #09990
Beautiful box. Impressive protective packing, too.
One disk has slight scratches, I'll play later.
Thank you all.
Thought I was in the clear....
So here’s a new one....I got to ripping Disc 11 from the Vancouver 74 show, and was salivating waiting to hear the first Loose Lucy of the box set (love that chick), when my download quit right as i was ripping Loose Lucy (wouldn’t ya know it) Spit the disc right out....so naturally I did an inspection of the disc and it looks perfect, so I popped it back in to try again, and same thing! Damn it...went to the car and all songs playing perfectly....WTF. Tried ripping again and same thing. Went to next disc and ripped fine. Ripped the Portland 74 show...no problems. Has anyone else had this problem? Also if someone would not mind transferring last 5 songs of disc 11 while I work this out, I sure would appreciate it. I don’t have a CD player other than car...rip everything and listen digitally. Other than that one issue....these shows are perfect. Listened to Portland 74 today...can’t say enough about it and I think my favorite so far. WRS>Wharf Rat is just perfect!!!
Have a Grate weekend Dead People!
KCJ
Got mine 2 days ago and been
Got mine 2 days ago and been listening to random songs. Very pleased but started to listen to the first show all the way through and disc 2 has a bad skip in Brown Eyed Women. Don’t see any damage. Tried multiple players and cleaning with no change. Another disc had greasy finger prints that washed off. Will have to see as I go if there are any more issues. Hopefully I can get a replacent disc 2. Overall beautiful box set from my favorite period
The Mix
As I said yesterday I really enjoy the first song mixing. I find it fun to hear the process of the music being mixed as it happened. I feel it allows the listener to separate each instrument and vocal and as things fall into place you have a better perspective of the whole.
That '73 Seattle show....
....is indeed special. And to change the subject just for a minute. I love to laugh, and this made me laugh so hard I almost threw up. And no, rap is not my cup 'o tea, but this parody is pure gold....
https://youtu.be/p2aU9zoH1lA
....popsicles.
.02
Really enjoying this release... top to bottom with no bottom, this is such an epic period! Im Tip toeing thru this 1st show... replaying the run from He's Gone to JBGoode because it warrants a 2nd listen straight thru(!) plus, once I move on, who knows when Ill be back... but 4 cd's and 30 tracks is a great start!So free and easy in this show as Phil mentions early in this show... no rush.. the paint brush is still wet as they paint this masterpiece.
Cant wait to hear the 6/24 show tomorrow.
So, for the discs, I ripped immediately all 19 discs.
Sometimes, a cd player skip does not necessarily mean a "rip" skip, at least in my experience. In fact, the only 2 malfunctions if you want to call it that, was when I ripped each disc, I noticed that the cover art was the 6/22/73 show for all 19 discs... unless that was a settings issue of mine, but also each disc had the default title of the show as the full name of the release. I had to customize in my library anyway so that didnt really matter. What did matter was that I had to search for Cover Art and glad I did!... I found really cool pieces from the Artist when I searched PNW Cover Art, I picked different art that was representative from that Disc cover art but there was so much to choose from... but that was a positive diversion anyway :-)
Hope you all enjoy as well... Thanks Dave and all that had a hand in getting this together, Peace iG
@Vguy72
Just posted this before refreshing this page. https://www.reddit.com/r/gratefuldead/comments/9fy2wy/feedback/We think alike we do
"Second only to tuning"....
.... little do redditors realize, tuning is a song upon itself. One guy there gets IT. phil_head is that treesinthemirror acolyte.edit. I assumed Phil_head was someone else. And so it goes. My second Money, Money just kicked in. This tune is about greed. Eve stole Adams rib. Next thing you got is women's lib. Touchy subject. I actually like that song. Oops.
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