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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.
Headspace
After a week of listening to this magic box in my car and while working, I finally got a chance to kick back this weekend with a pair of headphones on and let it all wash over me.
Such a warm, rich, vibrant sound. This box is fast becoming one of my favorites.
As for the Portland 74 vocal drop outs: sure, at first listen I was somewhat disappointed. But drifting along with those tunes inside my headspace, I actually dig hearing the music take the forefront for a while. Doesn't really bother me at all.
Dark Star Quartet?
As "Exile" pointed out, Keith seems to be absent from the 6/24/73 Dark Star. I can't hear him at all on this released version until the very last minutes. On the internet archive version, I can hear him around the 12-14 minute mark (barely), and then just sporadically thereafter. What was going on with Keith? He sounds fine just before and after the Dark Star. So, basically, we have a 73 quartet version of Dark Star. A psychedelic chamber music quartet. Just an observation. I love this release. It's easily tied for my favorite box with Fillmore 69 and E72.
Wall of Sound
Came across this little video yesterday as I was poking around. It's clearly brand new as it has several references to this box set. I can't quite place the accent of the dude narrating (he's a bit out of his element) but nonetheless it was an interesting perspective on The Wall and how it went on to pioneer sound for the rest of anyone wanting to pay attention to this stuff:
https://youtu.be/r86Sb4heCWM
I've been through each show in the box at this point and now onto 2nd or 3rd takes. I am struck by the awesomeness of the first '73 show which I had never heard; that 26+ minute Truckin' gets into some wide ranging territory I have to say - it surprised and delighted. The fact you get a Bird Song, China>Rider, Here Comes Sunshine, then that massive sequence in the second set makes this a strong contender for best in the box. But then again, that Dark Star show. And Portland '74. Oh yeah and that 47 min Playin in the last show - which I have now listened to twice - truly does deliver for the entire experience. I was equally blown away by that.
Box Rocks.
Sixtus
@ ALAIN
SALUT ALAINJ ESPERE QUE TU VAS BIEN
ABOUT YOUR REQUEST I DON T KNOW ALAIN BUT CALL YOUR LOCAL UPS OFFICE AND ASK THEM TO KEEP THE BOX !
I M DISAPOINTED TO RUN AFTER A MISSING DISC AS I DON T KNOW IF THEY ANSWER ME .
I DON T UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY MADE THE BOX THEY DIDN T CARE OF THE ITEM...
the PNW artwork is outstanding
Just wanted to jump in with a compliment for Dave & Co. that they seized an opportunity for truly meaningful artwork on this box and, over time, I think my appreciation will grow. The animal and bird motifs are simple, powerful, mysterious and the color palates are all laid-back and inviting to the eyes.
I'm so glad not to see more skulls... with or without frigging wigs, beards, etc.
We only got as far as Disc 2 of the first show last Friday night (only 2 1/2 hrs of music!!) but the sound is amazing and the performance is top-notch. I even loved the live dialing in the mix on Bertha, as it reminded me that that practice was prevalent in '73 and as we were always coming on to the lysergic at start time, it never failed to mess with our heads.
We got two box sets and both are in perfect condition. I say that not in smugness -- sorry for those who've got missing or scratched discs -- but to add that a lot of things went right with this box and I'm very stoked to dive in further.
nice youtube clip Sixtus
Thanks for the link. Still slowly working my way thru the boxset. Got stuck on the first show, even though that was the only show I was somewhat familiar with. What beautiful music! With headphones on the reel that as that first birdsong must've been one of the reels at the bottom of the soggy trunk in the barn. Such a shame, but still extraordinary. Since I don't have FW69 set, this ranks up there for me with both the 3 show '73 box and the Europe 72 release.
From what everyone's posted here, I can't wait till I dip my toe in '74.
Since there seems to be All Music Editions of recent boxset releases (E72, May77 GSTL, 30TATS), shouldn't the FW69 release be worthy of an AME release for the 50th Anniversary???
Happy happy!
The beauty of a box arrived this AM. Got a lot of rippin' and listenin' to do this afternoon/evening (dialed up to "11" of course). Kudos to all involved. Aesthetically, this set is certainly a treasure. And from all accounts so far, it sounds like the music follows suit.
BTW, I haven't read any mention of the gold key in the stash box. Has anyone figured out what that's for?
No Gold Key here
just the card with the number. It does look like the box is above a hidden chamber and the underside of the box cover could hold a secret but I don't want to ruin such a beautiful box on one of my whims...
Portland '74 karaoke
I just listened the Portland show today(disc1). I returned to the soundboard show I played whole this summer expecting the box, I skipped 3 of the Karaoke songs Sugaree-el paso-IMHBTRoses, and kept the Jack Straw.This problem with vocals happened in loose lucy-Dijon 74, but the voices came back with this song. This show is a killer. Mississippi is surely the best opener of the 6 shows.and what a great Tennessee for the interplay Jerry-Bobby.
The hidden space under the wooden box
Curiosity did not kill this DeadHead/cat/freak by very carefully opening the space below the wooden box. I used 2 small flathead screwdrivers, hobbyist-type small screwdrivers, and very carefully plied the two narrow sides up. It was not easy because I didn't want to ruin the cardboard.
What did I find?
Empty space.
Nothing special.
I guess you could hide something there, but it's not an easy open.
I've noticed there is wasted empty areas, or so it seems like that. They could be there by design. I don't know, so I'd rather not pass judgment.
However, Roy Henry Vickers art is great. I admired that style of native art for a very long time, about 50 years, Vickers gives a good introduction to the style on the pages he is given in the booklet.
Lots of Good Here
Lots of good here.. I have to start with a shoutout to Sixtus for that most excellent and timely video highlighting Bear and the Wall of Sound. I had not seen that before..
I got my box earlier this week and went at it with controlled ambition.. carefully checking out the artwork, removing each stack of CD cases carefully, opening, ripping, correcting the metadata, loading all possible devices, burning CDs for the truck, etc.
I was off.. but as soon as I started playing 6/22/73 PNE things slowed down. I am still on that show. I think it's going to be at least until Halloween until I fully digest the first listen of this box. I am still on the first show and I think it is wonderful.
So all this talk of the stash box, hidden compartments, etc.. got my curiosity this afternoon. I went to open it and it has a lock on it. It smells pretty dank though. Then I read posts of people getting keys and not knowing what to do with them.. I seem to be in need of a key, a golden one should do the trick.
The larger cavity within has this strange rattle in it when I shake the box and the smell seems more sinister. I think I will save opening that for tomorrow or the next day..
Anyway.. terrific box, I wish I was further along. I stand by my preamble. FW69 E72 PNW 734 as the top three. Perhaps after some time Winterland 73 will move up a bit.. but the PNW box still has that new car smell.
And I think we have one or two more box sets from this era that might prove to be just as good or better. Also.. looking back to Dave's Picks 26, it's quite possible there are more sonically incredible lost reels from 71-72 that might resurface when we least expect it.
I will be subscribing next year (duh).
Unlocked and loaded
I feel fortunate every time we have a box set event. The packaging was sound, the discs were all clean and everything ripped right into the computer (although following other's metadata entries is always, umm... a bit entertaining). The music is great. This is not my go-to era, but in full immersion, I love it all. There are points where Jerry's guitar is back in the mix; others where Keith is non-existent. Vocal drop-outs... No surprises. The band and its shows were a sonic experiment on every level, every night for 30 years. The most important part of these official releases is the boost in clarity and sound, the full Norman. The sound on these shows is amazing. Turn it up to 11, indeed!
Using the very unscientific shopping cart method, it appears there are between 3500-3600 copies left. Now that the boxes are landing and the praise is through the roof, this should drop, but I sense this one might linger. If you are hesitant, go for it. It is a thing of beauty on all levels.
Buddy cage
...my friend has been thu a lot these past few years due to medical issues. I have some tuning and playing his steel - pedal guitar from a private home video/ film clip. It made me cry. Best wishes to buddy cage- it ain’t over until the fat lady sings
Patience
I was able to contact the UPS carrier. Since I'm away from home for another two weeks, the carrier has agreed to keep my package longer than the ten days. So I'll be able to pick it up when I get home, that is, in exactly two weeks. What a pleasure I will have to discover this box and its contents!
Jerry's guitar in NW 1973
Does anybody know what guitar Jerry was using during these shows in 1973? The photos in the box booklet show Wolf, but looks like those photos were from the 1974 shows with the Wall of Sound.
Somebody posted this great site awhile ago in a comment for another release: http://dozin.com/jers/guitar/history.htm#
Indicates it could have been Wolf in June 73, but also maybe Alligator, or another guitar even . . .
A buddy of mine said he thought that Wolf wasn't in use until around September 1973.
Anyway, any insight for which guitar Jerry chose to produce that sweet sound during those shows would be much appreciated.
Vancouver 73 is especially awesome.
Best wishes to Buddy Cage!
First of many shows in small halls: spring '73, when the New Riders began touring separately from the Dead. Truly wild and mesmerizing performances with a bunch of crazy Deadheads in the audience. And Buddy sliced through our brains with his commanding approach to pedal steel, while David picked, Marmaduke sang, Dave pumped the bass and Spencer supplied the backbeat. Those were the daze...
Torbert: gone.
McDuke: gone.
Dryden: gone.
Cage: fighting, but here, bless him.
Nelson: here, bless him.
Jerry's guitar in NW 1973
Pretty sure it was the modified '57 Strat AKA "Alligator" in Summer '73. Vaguely remember it was given to him by Graham Nash. Can anyone confirm/deny?
A very good book could be writ about the evolution of Jerry Garcia's guitars.
Gypsy Cowboy
I slotted this cd on, and plugged in to check this page. Lo and behold, a post about Buddy Cage, so I went back to see if he played on Gypsy Cowboy. And of course, he does. "Nice album", as we used to say.
Pacific Northwest more impressions
As several fans have pointed out, the sound of the box is PHENOMENAL. I have compared "Row Jimmy" from Dave's Picks Vol. 9 (5/14/74) with "Row Jimmy" from Vancouver 5/17/74: The difference is like mono/stereo or black and white TV/ colour TV or riding a train/ flying a plane, you name it... If you can afford it, grab a box or at least Vancouver 5/17/74, you will not regret it. I just wonder why we haven't had this luxury sound from the wall of sound before the box...Every song in the box is a joy to listen to because it's full of discoveries. Phil especially is singing and swinging and improvising on his bass.....
dabadeebadebaddeeeebadabadadeee
RNB :-)
I found a wallet with $20 in it....
....I wasn't sure how to proceed, but then I thought, "What would Jesus do?"
So I turned it into wine.
the gold key in the stash box
No, only half a key. I had to split it with the sound effects man.
Got my box! Whoo-Hoo!!!
Happened last friday. Now I gotta dig into this thing and see where it goes. The box itself? Kind of reminds me of a tomb. Just like the Dead! Hee-hee!
Vancouver 5/17/74
Incredible sound-incredible show. The Playing and jam from Truckin' through to Eyes are probably the highlights, but the whole show is superb. I really like the up tempo songs in the first set-Keiths piano sparkles. It occurred to me, listening to this, that they could have made a great rock n' roll album-in the style of Sun Records had they a mind to.
I am currently half way through 5/19/74, and I am well impressed with this, too. Hard to imagine how the vinyl edition could improve on the sound of this cd-taking into account the disappearing vocals on a few tracks already mentioned.
PNW 73-74 Cover Art & a THANK YOU
THANK YOU Dave, Jeffrey, Dr. Rhino, MaryE and the extended team that made this dream come true.
Here’s the belated link to the hi-res, color-corrected scans I just finished of the PNW ’73-’74 Box. Sorry it took longer than usual, but was out of town until late Sunday. Anyway, Roy Henry Vickers’ art is just exactly perfect for these shows. You’ll find both a front (square) version and a front-spine-back version of the art from each show. (The box/chest wouldn't fit in the scanner.)
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a513cb875hedpwc/AAD-YTpMLYXoC-W_U1FrqXJaa?dl…
Please enjoy and pass along as needed. And, as always, PLAY DEAD!
FYI, #09908 arrived apparently unscathed in all its outrageously mind-blowing glory. "Apparently" because I'm just now getting started ripping the CD's which look just fine. The shipping box design is even a work of art. Onward!!!
Box Set Information
All this talk about which of Jerry's guitar was used at what time has got me thinking. I wish they would include in the liner notes of all official releases a tech. specs page containing all such information about equipment used at the particular show. I mean to at least some degree of certainty we could get guitars, effects, mic types, drums etc. for majority or all members.
Double post but...
Did you hear the one about the 3 idiot prisoners escaping from prison? Well they were hightailing it down a dirt road with the sheriff close behind, so they jump in the back of this farmers rusty pickup and rustle into some sacs. Cop pulls the truck over and walks up with his billy club, sticks the first bag hard. Prisoner says "woof", sheriff thinks "must be a dog" and jabs the next bag, "meow". Sheriff thinks, "must be a cat." Sticks the last bag, "potatos."
NRPS
...right now due to Buddy Cages & Nelsons health has some issues like touring with buddy cage has been put on hold for quite sometime...But right now everyone could pray for them and their recovery... Nelson is still not performing with NRPS as well.I have some photos of cage put I can’t post images or photos. I don’t know how and can’t vigure it out.
I Also had the treat of seeing one of three guitars made for Eric Clapton. The guitar I saw has this Psychedelic painting over the entire complete guitar...far out ,I dig it. :)
Have a grateful night or day my sisters & brothers. GOGD.
Daverock / gypsy cowboy
..,love that LP, I have more than one copy and pressings. I gotta go through my Archiev soon... :)
Mind Bending
Per PITB from Seattle 5/21/74. The only thing it lacks is a bass clarinet solo from Eric Dolphy, a saxophone solo from John Coltrane and a trumpet solo from Miles Davis....... just my personal fantasy, but without those mentioned I find the performance to be ultimately mind bending in the best sense of the words. I admire these boys and their ability to communicate with each other in a unconscious (one mind) way. Superb stuff.
Kindness
I would like to thank you all for the kindness exhibited here. I’m not one who participates in social media much. I’ve only commented on one other site and only recently here on Deadnet, and have been impressed with the lack of negativity. This should come as no surprise as we are all DeadHeads here, but I thought it was worth mentioning as kindness is not as prominent elsewhere, so thank you all for being kind.
Grateful Dead Gear
Good book on Jerry's and the Dead's equipment. Pretty sure it's a Blair Jackson Joint.
Jerry's Guitars
Jerry Garcia .com has a section about Jerry's guitars and timeline. May not answer your questions show-by-show, but pretty comprehensive. https://jerrygarcia.com/guitars/
So far this box set has been a joy to listen to. Will be a while before I work through the whole box, but a very nice addition officially released shows.
An idle wonder: the details say Rex recorded the first two shows, Kidd the other four (including one from 73) - ABCD provided the first two shows (from Betty's stash presumably). I wonder if the listed recorders are known or just assumed based on where the tapes resided.
And thank you Jeff Smith, great scans.
You are correct, Mr.Jones
Grateful Dead Gear, title of Blair Jackson book. I have a copy. It can be quite a technical read. Blair also happens to be the best at documented our scene. Going back to the Golden Road publications.
Gear
Thanks for the heads up about the information available, but I've studied those ones before. Definitely will be buying a copy of Blairs book, not sure how I missed that one, does it g dr. T into specifics like order of effects processing and signal paths? I guess my request was more a matter of convenience, was hoping Dead.net would start including that information for me so I wouldnt have to go digging every time :)
PNW promo animated gifs
These may have already been posted here, but in case they haven’t...here they are. Hopefully they will make more for the other dates!
6/22/73: https://ibb.co/egtM0U
5/21/74: https://ibb.co/hSMKn9
https://ibb.co/h8NQS9
https://ibb.co/bNJX79
While reading the Washington Post this morning...
While reading a column about telecommuting in the the Washington Post this morning I came across this little nugget:
Acid-washed genes
A photo with my column last week on the 1919 triple murder in Kalorama that’s the subject of a new book caught the eyes of several readers. Sitting with the accused, Ziang Sung Wan, was one of his lawyers, A. Owsley Stanley.
Now, that’s a name you probably haven’t heard before, unless you are a Grateful Dead fan or dropped a lot of acid in the 1960s. I suspect there is some intersection between the two groups.
Stanley was a congressman, U.S. senator and governor of Kentucky. His namesake grandson, A. Owsley Stanley III — nickname: “Bear” — was among the first to synthesize and mass-produce a potent form of LSD, more than a million doses, by some estimates. He was a central figure in Tom Wolfe’s “Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.”
In addition to furnishing the hallucinogen to members of the Grateful Dead (and other bands), Stanley III also designed the Dead’s famed touring PA system, a woofer- and tweeter-filled behemoth known as the Wall of Sound.
Stanley III died in a car crash in Australia in 2011.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-problem-with-telecommuting-som…
Re: Acid Washed Genes
Thanks Anatexis.. an interesting read. It does not appear Stanley I is tripping in the picture, but he has this look of confidence like he could handle it.. almost like Bring It On!
There is a link in the article referring to the original article regarding the 1919 triple murder in Kalorama that is most fascinating also. It appears both Stanley's changed American history.. for the better I might add.
Thanks again, I learned something new. Each day should start this way.
A bowl of tobacco...a "fresh cup of coffee"...and the NW book
Got up this morning...filled my Jerry Garcia meerschaum pipe up with some Peter Sokkeby's Cube Cut tobacco...fixed myself a fresh cup of coffee...and "finally" sat down and read the book that came with the NW box set. As I have noted earlier...I like the tactile feel of paper....I'm old! Reading this book from a downloaded PDF file would NOT give me the same sensation(s).There is something about turning a page and having a few seconds to think about what one has read that gives me solace. I found it very insightful. I did not know much about Bobby Petersen's poetry. Looked it up on the net and got his book of poetry... Leaving Taos. Looking forward to reading itIt was nice just looking at the pictures...artwork...and reflecting on my own life during this time period. Learned a lot that I did not know about the Dead.
If you have not bought the box set I would put a plug in for doing so. The artwork is...wonderful! Obviously, we buy it for the music but I think the box/book help make it an "experience" to enjoy!
I understand the issue of having the space in your home/apartment. Maybe it is time to "clear out" some other stuff to make room for it. I do not think you will be disappointed.
The music, in my opinion, is wonderful. It is great to have all of this to listen to in almost perfect condition. Sure beats the old cassette tapes...hiss and all!
Enjoy your week.
Mr. Pete--------->
aging hippie
probably a minority report, but
Listened to the first show, got past the skips. If I find anymore skipping or scratched discs, I will return this box for a complete refund. Am I the only one who thinks Jerry is very low in this mix? Bobby and Phil and Billy are all very present, but Jerry and Keith are low, audible, but very low. Is it because they are the surviving members and want to reinforce their "legacy"? Oh yeah, Donna is also up in the mix too, and I can do without her screaming into the mics. My wife, who is not a big fan of 1970's dead said, "who is that screaming?" I informed her it was Donna and she said, "now I remember why I don't listen to 70's dead, why did they let that woman scream like that?" Bobby is especially high in this first show from 73, I like Bobby's playing but I came for Garcia and, well, I wish he had been up in the mix vs the others. Will Jerry be put in the background in future releases? If so, I'm out. Don't think I'm going to do any more preorders either, I will wait from now on and get a listen to the sounds before I buy, then I won't get buyers remorse and imagine what could have been instead of what is released. I hope the other shows have Jerry up front where he belongs, if not, there is another reason for a return for a refund. I would keep it and resell on eBay, but I don't think this box will command the resale value that the others have, especially E72 and the Spring 90 (TOO) box, both good quality mixes. Sorry to be a downer, but I personally think they could have done better, at least on the first show. Now, on to the second show with expectations a bit lowered.
Donna dis-likers and free jazz
Many years ago, somebody told me that Donna's wails especially in "Playing In The Band" remind him of Ornette Coleman's style of free jazz. OK, throw Eric Dolphy and Freddie Hubbard in for good measure. Bottom line: For the most part, I like Donna's singing with the GD.
Born X-Eyed
I agree, Jerry is too low in the mix, but only in the 1973 shows. The vocals also come in louder than usual, so they seem to step on the music. This bothered me at first, but I'm getting used to it.
Me and my uncle saw the dead several times from 72 to 74, and Donna was never that loud in the house mix that the audience heard. What we are experiencing on these CDs is not what audiences experienced. I don't know much about soundboard recording, but I know they never planned to release these as live albums. Maybe not enough attention to detail was made. Or maybe, since it is well documented that she could not hear herself on stage, Donna asked to have her voice raised in the recording, so that she could review it afterward and make sure that her blind voice was at least on key.
I also read that the WoS required a new board for mixing. Maybe 1974 either represents a shortcoming of the new mixing board (as it pertains to recording the show), or perhaps Donna had access to the volume controls that made her on stage monitors louder, so that she could hear herself and perhaps that also affected the board recording.
All speculation, but the important thing to take away is that this is not how she sounded at the show to the audience. Kind of a shame that the release of these tapes has blemished her reputation.
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