• 3,948 replies
    clayv
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • KeithFan2112
    Joined:
    Good Morning Rockers!
    Er...there's a great one on 4/8/71, Boston Music Hall....Truckin', Bertha, China Cat, Second That Emotion, Dark Star, St. Stephen, Cumberland, Greatest Story. Sugar Mags. Bobby high in mix, kinda cool on Dark Star....PM me if you need it. Saw them at the Knick 11th to last show.Saw last Help /Slip/Franklin. It was a great time. I was unaware of any problems. I suppose if I'd known the music better at the time I may have picked up on things. Anyway, French Roast awaits me.
  • jrf68@hotmail.com
    Joined:
    it's only two songs...
    but there's a Diga Rhythm Band session from 5-30-1975 in Golden Gate Park on MidnightCafe that is fantastic.Jerry sits in with 'em on Happiness Is Drumming.(sounds like some kinda Fire patch in there for a little bit...) Get some :o)
  • Terrapin Moon
    Joined:
    (No subject)
  • kevjones
    Joined:
    7/9/95 Musings
    I was lucky enough to see final show at Soldier Field. I saw a bunch of shows the last few years, and mostly enjoyed them all. Had a big group of friends together for the final run at Soldier, the first night was pretty terrible with the exception of Visions of Johanna which was exquisite. After the fireworks ended on 7/9, I said to myself "Well, see you boys in the fall". I did have a strange bittersweet feeling about the whole thing though. I mail ordered for Chula Vista later on in July and everything seemed alright. Anyway, I sat down to listen to the final show for the first time in a very, very long time tonight. As a fan of "late era Dead" I have listened to quite a bit of music from 1994 and 1995, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised when revisiting this show tonight. I enjoyed the Charlie Miller SBD. In hindsight, it's obvious that Jerry is not well, but that did not diminish the overall vibe of this particular show. It has an almost mystical feel to it. The Masterpiece, Childhood's End and Cumberland Blues are all fun and well played in my opinion. Jerry is present thoughout the set, although there are some flubs, including Weir botching Promised Land. As I sat down to listen to the second set, I was very pleasantly surprised. The Shakewdown has a very nice vocal jam in the middle, and there is an interesting little jam after it. Samson was a typical version for the time. So Many Roads needs no explanation and catapults this show into "all timer" status. What really surprised me was the band's playing on "Corinna". This was a song that was really getting it's sea legs in 1995, and Jerry and Weir do some pretty amazing stuff throughout the jam at the end. Drumz/Space was very fun. Now this might trigger some people, but I think this is the absolute best version of Unbroken Chain the original band ever played. Jerry's is taking breaks throughout, and they hit it in all the right places. As the band is coming out of Unbroken Chain, Jerry clearly wants to do Morning Dew. He does the lead in to it, but Weir cuts him off with Sugar Mags, I can only imagine how powerful that Dew would have been with it being the final show. The Sugar Mags is serviceable, and Jerry does some fun little "nana nana boo boo" licks towards the end of the song. The Prankster in him never died. The Black Muddy River is perfect and of course the Box of Rain is another "all timer". I encourage open minded heads to really listen to this show, listen to the musicianship, and Phil, Bobby, Mickey and Billy lifting Jerry up as they were about to embark on the second half of their own careers. It's really quite a magical little show. Check the tears, don't scrutinize every little flaw, but just listen and absorb and you might have your own revelations about the bands final years.
  • CHARLIE PHOGG
    Joined:
    Child in Time
    Gotta love Blackmores' solo after Gillians' howling, esp version from Made in Japan.
  • CHARLIE PHOGG
    Joined:
    Child in Time
    Gotta love Blackmores' solo after Gillians' howling, esp version from Made in Japan.
  • CHARLIE PHOGG
    Joined:
    Child in Time
    Gotta love Blackmores' solo after Gillians' howling, esp version from Made in Japan.
  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    The Last One
    It was pure serendipity that we were at those shows....was going back to collage in my thirties, starting to move on, new beginnings, all that. Had mostly given up on going to shows. Would go if convenient I.e., went to Pittsburgh only that tour. (Decent show!) Had been doing merch through my cousin who was in the bizz. Had been doing Ziggy shows and the 90s version of the Band. So my cousin calls up and says “hey, the Band is opening up, why don’t you guys come and we’ll get you in with your Band lammies. So we did, and not only got in, but full access, including hanging onstage during the Bands sets. It was so cool, everyone from the Dead (crept Jer) at one point was up there watching them play. At one point Bob was literally standing right behind us. Of course once the Band was done they removed us. They weren’t that into folks onstage so much by then. So we scattered for a bit and decided to meet stage left (right) side tunnel at show time. Well time comes, WTF? No one shows. So I think, maybe I have the sides mixed up....so quickest way is back through the tunnel, through back stage hall and out around the other side, so I haul ass and again, no one there? WTF?? Of course most still didn’t have cell phones yet. So I figure like the good Boy Scout I used to be, I should wait where we decided. So I start hauling ass again, back through the tunnel and start to turn into it and head for this single door gate that is the only way through this huge chain link wall at the end of the hall to the dressing rooms etc, and this giant local security guard starts to get up since I’m hauling ass, and of course we’re a, somewhat in the zone shall we say, so don’t notice until last second, just barely enough time to swerve/leep to the side, (ahhh, to still be young and agile), and just miss taking out Garcia! I swear on my dead Mommas grave!!! Jer had his head down and was chugging along cause the band was already out there. His personal guy, the big dude, shit can’t remeber his name, had sorta short black hair, wore a lot of white dress shirts, sans tie, big portly dude. Anyway, he’s behind Jer, but he sees me coming too, and his eyes get big etc,they don’t know who I’m am or WTF, remember he got death threats that tour! But the timing of the whole fiasco was why I ever got that close. Jerry was passing through that gate at just the right moment, so his guy was blocked, and the local guy was a, let’s say didn’t appear to take the job as serious.....so yeah, I came a split second away from taking him out......I often wonder what might of happened if I had plowed him over??? I’m pretty big, and at the rate I was moving, I certainly could theoretically of put him in the hospital........ I’m sure I probably would of suffered a savage beating and been banned, but just think what if he had gone in a hospital?? Those shows were really tough to watch. Like always, there were moments, but they were more and more, few and far between......nice finish though, amazing fireworks with Jimmy accompaniment! As bad as it was though, we never thought that those would be it........ Only saw a hundred something over 17 years, but I truly was blessed with incredible luck when picking shows etc. From Dark Star and TOO at 1st show, right up until going to these final shows completely unplanned, out of left field. The gods were very good to us. Say many historic and/or “firsts” etc, and only got shut out once, 3/26/88, and that was partially cause scalpers are scum and none of us was going to pay THAT much.... Sorry to ramble on, all y’all just woke up those old feelings, brought back the memories. Hopefully it was at least a decent story, actually have a few even better? Not as good as my bazzarro Jerry brother, from another realm mother, Oroboros! In fact I believe he promised us another dandy a few weeks ago? Where you be Brother?
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    7.9.95....
    ....for me, it's hard to pass an unbiased opinion of it, so I won't. Still hard to listen to. Old habits die hard.....to the guy conekid referred to. That was me at a '94 Desert Sky Pavilion show. (I think it's called Best Foods Mayonnaise Field now). We had a plane to catch. They played Liberty. Again. My buddy and I bolted. Looking back, we should've sparked a J. Missed flight? Ptth. Book another one.... Help On The Way-> Slipknot!-> Franklin's Tower, Spoonful, Jack A Roe, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Brown Eyed Women, Let It Grow. Set II. Easy Answers, Lazy River Road, Playin' In The Band-> Eyes Of The World-> Drums-> Space-> The Wheel-> The Last Time-> Attics Of My Life-> Good Lovin', E: Liberty Hmmm. Not bad.... https://archive.org/details/gd94-03-06.sbd.kidder.8332.sbeok.shnf
  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Keithfan
    4-6-892nd was 7-17-89 Downhill From Here.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 8 months

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.

user picture

Member for

7 years 8 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

Permalink

Most of these shows circulate.. you just gotta poke around.

Even though I gave up my iPhone and switched to a Galaxy I still use iTunes to manage my digital music. There is a gapless playback option.. and all my other devices including my phone play without that annoying gap.

Most of these shows circulate pretty freely.. you just gotta poke around. Find a show you like using the archive and built an inventory of the lossless digital files. Just say NO to MP3's.. Flac, Alac or Wav's... a 4TB external drive is like $89. That's enough space for a lossless copy of every dead show ever performed.. and then some.

I know.. sounds easy, but poke around a bit and if you are a digital novice.. it's not that hard, a little patience until you climb the learning curve and then it's easy.

Hey.. D&C are playing in Mexico tonight, I think.. mmmm

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

The individually numbered certificate is in the small wooden box.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

8 years

In reply to by Alain

Permalink

Thank You, Unfortunately the small wooden box was empty.

user picture

Member for

7 years 8 months

In reply to by mmckenna

Permalink

Mine came packed with a small but potent bud and a little teeny tiny vial marked blue cheer. Wonder what that's all about?

user picture

Member for

7 years

In reply to by MDJim

Permalink

Jim,

I would be happy to do an investigation for you. I think you have my address. Just forward the box and all contents my way. I will run tests and let you know what it is.

KCJ

user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

Permalink

The small wooden box that came with this set has your limited edition number (my #: 11593) open it up and you've got some more artwork and a note from Roy Vickers. The box could be useful in several ways just as long as you keep it in the larger box: bud stash!
I like it.
All the music contained in this collection is fantastic. a great box and I am grateful for its release.

user picture

Member for

10 years 4 months
Permalink

2,154 Left

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by Automaticslim

Permalink

You guys are Grammy winners in my book... no doubt! This Box is spectacular... I thank each and every one of you that had a hand in bringing this complete package to my doorstep. It is proudly displayed in MY house as if it were a Grammy! I look forward to your next creation.
iG

user picture

Member for

6 years 6 months
Permalink

I still regard myself as a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to knowing about the best of anything but I would seriously die a happy man if the last piece of music I heard was the bridge between China/rider from Portland 5/19/74 . It gives me goosebumps just writing about it 🇨🇳😺🚴‍♂️

If you are a bit wet behind the ears, Perithecat, I wouldn't think of checking out just yet-you have a long and happy future ahead of you.

1. GD - DaP 29 Swing Aud.
2. Strawbs - 1st album to 'Nomadness' on shuffle
3. Caravan - In The Land Of Grey And Pink
4. GD - 2/21/71 Capitol Theatre/Port Chester, NY
5. Doc & Merle Watson - Never The Same Way Once (too many good shows to name just one!)

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

Good morning Heads! Not sure how many people are keeping up with this thread as there’s always something new to ponder and get geeked about!! First, I think this box is pure joy and delight and find something new everytime I pick a show to groove to and dissect. Has anyone else experienced the vocal track fading out/pretty much dropping beginning in Sugaree in disc 14 from Portland 5.19.74? Thanks for letting me know. I’m not sure if it is the system I am playing it through or fault with the recording. Your insight is most appreciated. Enjoy the day and weekend!

Sadly it’s in the recording , but don’t let that put you off it’s a truly wonderful show , I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again the bridge between China/rider gives me goosebumps just writing about it let alone listening to it 😸😸😸

Sadly it’s in the recording , but don’t let that put you off it’s a truly wonderful show , I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again the bridge between China/rider gives me goosebumps just writing about it let alone listening to it 😸😸😸

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

In reply to by perithecat

Permalink

Thank you so much for your response. I’m kinda just a bit obsessive about sound, aren’t we all on these threads!, 😀 and glad to know it is not just me but the master tapes. It was your comments about the China—>Rider bridge that made me go back to this show to hear it again. Peace and thanks.

user picture

Member for

9 years

In reply to by TLEO 77

Permalink

Got it on vinyl recently.
Sounds awesome!
And yes, the vocals drop out is there too.

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months
Permalink

Did anyone get the Playing in the Band from this show that came out on vinyl last year? I saw it on ebay in the early hours and had a poke round to see if there were any references to it. I couldn't find any, so I decided to take a punt anyway. It reminds me of the Dark Star from Paris 5/4/72 that came out on vinyl a while back, in that it is just that one track, split into two sides during drums. That works for me, so I have high hopes for this one.

user picture

Member for

9 years

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

I got it, I think it was $20 or $22.
I don’t recall that the flip is during Drums, I think that it’s between a slow, low volume section.
I do recall that I enjoyed listening to it. :)

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

Permalink

Yes, that makes sense - Playing doesn't normally feature drums anyway. I think you got a real bargain-I paid the equivalent of 26 dollars, which was still considerably cheaper than everyone else was selling it for.

user picture

Member for

5 years 9 months
Permalink

6/24/73 is so smoking to me , this dark star into eyes is AMAZING! I’m surprised the dark star didn’t make the cut for the compilation but it’s still an amazing selection from these 6 shows to create the 3 cd compilation. Some incredible mind bending jams inside this treasure chest!;)

user picture

Member for

10 years 10 months
Permalink

No vocals on "El Paso" some how they must of had Bob's mic off or way down May 17, 1974 – P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia Disc 14

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

5 years 2 months
Permalink

Ordered this 12/2 for a Christmas present. Has not shipped yet! Keep getting useless auto replies. Very frustrating. Highly disappointed in the customer service and the experience

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

4 years 10 months
Permalink

Waited over 2 months to get this and when I went to go listen I was missing disc #15. Have tried emailing costumer service and haven’t received any response. Please help! Would really like that disc.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

4 years 11 months
Permalink

May the force be with you, brother, sorry about your missing disks. I have a couple of defective ones and 2 months later, no word of a replacement.
Theres an interesting article on the web about a company by the name of Direct Shot that most of the major labels have put in charge of all physical media distribution. About the same time this happened, Dead.net customer service went straight in the toilet and has not emerged - “warehouse consolidation” indeed. What is disappointing is that nobody at Dead.net has made a direct statement (at least that I have seen) that they are aware of the problem thats been allowed to drag on. The loyal Dead fanbase deserves a straight answer about the problem and when our outstanding issues will be rectified.
Jerry would be very unhappy about how we’ve been treated.

Here’s the statement that was emailed several weeks ago.

—————-
Cause when things go wrong, wrong with you, it hurts me too
It's been quite a year and we know how patient you have been, how patient you still are. It has always been, and will always be, our mission to provide the best service to you, the fans. As you are more than likely aware, a complex warehouse move resulted in a significant backlog of orders and while that warehouse is working as quickly as they can to deliver, we've turned 100% of our focus and dedication toward a new facility which promises to restore peace to the Dead.net community in the next few months. Trust us, this steam locomotive is rolling down the track!
————

You can try sending a PM to Marye now,.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

4 years 11 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

Permalink

(I think) I have successfully sent a PM to MARYE kind of hard to tell, pretty strange PM system on this forum - thanks for the suggestion. We'll see what happens.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

4 years 10 months

In reply to by aardvark2300

Permalink

Yeah, this PM system is a little weird. I was able to message Marye and got the missing disc. Have really been enjoying these shows. Good luck resolving your issues!

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 7 months
Permalink

I have had two Dave’s Picks go everywhere but to my address........which for some reason didn’t include my apartment # ............therefore no delivery..........One arrived months later.......and a second one #32 is in transit supposedly and maybe arriving shortly. I had to file with the Better Business Bureau over this foolishness. Which seemed to get a quicker response from The Dead Store......To which I say good luck to all whom have problems with The Dead Store Customer Service.......I have been through the phone calls .....the emails........and calling Warner’s main office to no avail.......it is a sad situation.........

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 7 months
Permalink

Check out Rhino for sale through this weekend

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

4 years 2 months
Permalink

Testing with Lossless Audio Checker shows the June 1976 FLAC download in 24/192 format ( https://store.dead.net/music/digital/june-1976-flac-192-24-1.html ) and the Pacific Northwest '73-'74- The Complete Recordings FLAC download in 24/192 ( https://store.dead.net/music/boxed-sets/pacific-northwest-73-74-the-com… ) to be "Upsampled." I have notified Jeffrey Norman and Rhino. I sent Jeffrey the logs of the LAC test results showing 80% of the June 76 files being upsampled. While he was very nice in his response, he had no explanation for the finding. Rhino has not responded to any e-mails. It is important to note that the files on both test “Clean” after downsampling to 24/96, which, likely, means the files, were originally digitized at 24/96 or digitized at 24/192 and downsampled to 24/96 for mastering. Whatever the case Rhino needs to disclose this fact on their web site or change the files for sale to 24/96.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

The hour or so of music from He's Gone through the end of Wharf Rat is one of the top 5 hours of music the dead ever played.

There, I said it. This box is worth every penny for that hour of music alone.

user picture

Member for

4 years 1 month
Permalink

... just wanted to share how delighted I am with the music in this set, and encourage anyone who’s not taken the plunge to just go ahead and get it already.

There’s been some chatter in another thread about how long it’s taking to sell out this box, and all I can say is that, as much as I love ’73 and ’74, I didn’t order mine till Rhino put it on sale. Maybe some people are settling for the 3-disc version, which is understandable, given the difference in price and given that they did manage to include some very high highlights (including the 45 minute PITB!) in that set.

Also causing some hesitation for me was the packaging. Don’t get me wrong: it’s beautiful! The art work is amazing. But speaking as someone who already has problems finding shelf space for my CDs, I wasn’t sure where I’d put this giant box. (In case anybody upstairs is listening: I thought the June 1976 box really hit the sweet spot between packaging that was elaborate enough to make the box feel special but also small enough to not cause problems.)

Anyway, the music. The MUSIC. For me, this era was flat out the best the band ever sounded, and it’s an incredible joy to hear them in such fine audio. There are a few “surprises,” the kind of vocal drop outs and oddities in the mix that would’ve rated a “caveat” back in the Dick’s days. Mostly, these are very temporary, and in all cases the sound is really really good once everybody settles in. As usual, Jerry’s louder than Bob, but you can hear them both very distinctly, and they constantly (constantly!) are playing their asses off. Phil’s on fire throughout. And BK? He makes a solid case here that the Dead never needed another drummer. Keith comes through nicely, and plays well. I suppose we could say that the vocals were erratic during this period, and I would admit that’s true here. But the singing is mostly good to great, and man oh man, the band sounds fantastic!

I’ve only listened to each show once so far—given the complaints about missing discs and whatnot, I felt like I should make a point of listening all the way through to make sure nothing was amiss—so I’m not really ready to call out a favorite show, or even favorite tunes. But I will say that the PITBs, the Bird Songs, the Eyes, the China-Riders are all, for me, as good as they get. Their playing was so spontaneous, so open, so powerful, so much soul, so imperfectly perfect.

Yes, I suppose there are other, equally worthy eras. But man, ’73 and ’74 were beautiful.

I keep going back to this box - superb. Especially the 1974 shows. I went so far as to get 5/19/74 and the Playing in the Band from 5/21/74 on vinyl. There are a few problems with vocals on both, but this matters not a jot. The playing, as you say, from all band members, is absorbing. After 1970 they only needed Bill on drums.

I also agree with icecrmcnkd - a box of October 1974 with bells and whistles would make a great release.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

I just received my edition of the Northwest Complete Recordings 73 74. Showed up without tracking or any email confirmations . So Glad You Made It. Can't Wait.

user picture

Member for

3 years 4 months
Permalink

Is this box now sold out? They list it, but it seems like that is just some old data. Great set. I love it, but I don't have it physically. Not a huge deal, but it is very lovely.

product sku
081227931391
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/pacific-northwest-73-74-the-complete-recordings-19-cd-boxed-set-1.html