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    clayv
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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.

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  • unkle sam
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    stick
    I agree, but it's been up there for a long, long time lol. The band gives half a performance, gives no refund, should be the headline. These guys ain't got a lot of fans as it is, and now they just lost a bunch more. What does 11 oclock curfew have to do with it? The entire situation was handled badly, I feel for any and all who got ripped off for their second set. And yet, nothing from the band, silence, take the money and run. Why? don't they all have enough? definitely not in the true spirit of the Grateful Dead. If they are truly afraid of the elements, why give an outdoor show? Save your money, buy this box instead, a lot more fun and you get Jerry and Phil too. Support Owsley foundation, that Allmans at the Filmore in 1970? Sounds great, they were a jam band back then too.
  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    best info on ABB archival release
    The discussion sez Plangent Processes & Jeffrey Norman are on the job, working from original tapes. The 1997 compilation was from 2/11 and 2/14. So 2/13 untapped so far. And unreleased material from 2/11 and 2/14. I lied: apparently July is the announcement of one of the three releases coming this year. I would guess that would be ABB, the band with the biggest fan base. But I'd be curious what else is coming because Owsley's tapes are so well recorded. http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/bears-sonic-journals-allman-broth… Did I just read that Jimi's Axis: Bold as Love is "good," but Dylan & Dead are "great"? Then again, I am hendrixfreak...
  • stoltzfus
    Joined:
    well, someone's got a stick up they angry @$$
    good morning, everyone my morning musings: 5/18/72: first set feels tense and clumsy. Second set is glorious. Jimi Bold as Love album: for years it was "ok, but overall, meh". then listened to it yesterday while doing things around the house. _yeah_. good stuff. Dylan and the Dead: found an old random CD of D&tD 7/4/87. GREAT stuff. I typically do not like guest artists, but this is different. D&C at the Gorge this evening. wish I cared. but I don't. at least there's no chance of a rainout. :) Anthem reissue coming soon. What will DaP27 be? if you need a palate cleanser, listen to Motorhead. "rejoice, rejoice, we have no choice, but to carry on"
  • cub
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    Keithfan My Man
    From a Jerry fan So.. I was at that Dead n Co. mess in Camden on June 2nd which was purchased with funds from a cancelled Ft Lauderdale show December 2017. Well the wait was not worth it! Within mins. of 10pm Lights-On, Camden police were walking the concrete tunnel/sidewalk around the base of mud-hill yelling "SHOWS OVER - GO HOME" At almost the same time, however most of the paid venue staff in red shirts were getting conflicting information thru their coms and told us to "Remain inside, the show would continue". All said with a straight face as the band's bus quietly exited for hotel before any of us could get to our cars neatly parked just across the street. We were held in there for 1 hour! Some packed into the bathroom/vending area with NO return to the venues many empty seats. WTF was that about? Camden is alot of gypsy park lots $30 one day, VIP $70 the next. Zero for us cause we are from S. Jersey.(leukemia piss pot of deregulation) There was no reason to prevent people from leaving the venue except to keep others from the hill, outside. The lighting which was sporadic at best was mostly across the river in Philly n gone by then. I'm done with Dead n Co. (weak tea) No more shows for me and who needs em' with NUGS n edibles n legalization. The 80's Dead-Belt was a great alternative to college and Taper was a good fit for me. But when you don't make a single stage announcement to Bid Us Good'Night and just split the scene, well allow us to do the same. PS: I ordered my box too.
  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    Allmans & RogueDeadGuy
    Hey bro, the Owsley Foundation only announced that the ABB set was coming, plus two other release announcements, all in July. No preorder as they haven't actually launched these releases. However, it looks like a one-disc compilation is listed on Amazon, but no set list, so impossible to tell what it is. The ABB release from 2/70 is -- I paraphrase -- all the existing material from their three sets over the three nights. So it doesn't sound like they have complete sets. But if the ABB played (3) 90-minute sets (minimum) and the OF has only half that material, they'd have two solid hours. The 1997 release was 72 minutes. So maybe they have another disc or two of material? In any case, this will be Owsley-recorded original ABB on several discs. We already have a compilation from 1997, with more to come, presumably delivered as 2/11, 2/13 and 2/14 -- i.e., properly archived and presented. We're talkin' about a fresh archival release of Duane Allman and his boys opening for the GD at the Fillmore East in February 1970. Need I say more?
  • Thin
    Joined:
    This box is amazing - 2 boxes in one.
    So not only are the shows and sound quality amazing, but the box itself is as well. I just looked into this artists past work - I gotta say I'm intrigued. I'm simply giddy about his release. I would have been ecstatic if they just released the 3 '73 shows, then the other 3 '74 shows next year. But instead we get them together. THANK YOU Dave & Co for all you do. I'm listening to a lot of NON 73-74 until this comes out.... I LOVE 1973! Looser and jazzier than any other year. Anyone who doesn't get this will be disappointed when it finally sells out. Again, the box alone will be highly sought after item for years to come. And the 6 shows inside are amazing - an absolute gem.
  • daverock
    Joined:
    73-74 is okay by me
    Having criticized the potential size of this box-I feel I must add that this is a very minor consideration for me. The music is what counts, and I agree with Jim that 1973-1974 are for me very exciting years-even the mistakes are valid as they are part and parcel of the experimental approach that yielded such gems. So however they are housed-as long as they play alright-that's alright with me. I was also interested to read of release of the rest of The Allmans sets from the Fillmore 1970. Hope they come out on cd, though.
  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Re: rdevil
    Well put. I seem to have more internal hype for this than it seems permeates through this thread. I suspect this will not be sold out by the time it hits the streets and I expect some added hype once people get their first complete listens. I get more exited over 73 and 74 then I do about 77. Less predictable, more exploratory and jazzy. It doesn't bother me when the miss the mark as they seem to just recoil and spring out all over again until they scratch that sweet spot. I had to run some errands during the lunchtime show on Sirius.. today's concert was 4/5/71 at the Manhattan Center. It reminded me of the 76 conversation the other day. Some liked 76 and some didn't.. (surprise). I think was the Ice Cream Cone Kid that commented on variety. I think 1971 was to 1972 as 76 was to 77. Breaking out new material and new equipment, testing new arrangements and by the end of the year they were able to make sense of it all and the following year was built on the accumulated strength. Like 68 was to 69, etc. I am very happy they continued to experiment and reinvent themselves and I am ore than happy to spend an evening revisiting these shows. I like the follow the progression and hear the learning curve real time. There's revelations baked into those early moments.
  • rdevil
    Joined:
    6-28-74
    Haven't been posting here much the past year and a half but felt compelled to sing the praises of 6-28-74. I remember the joy of discovery when I first got that tape many years ago. I'm a strongly opinionated "complete show guy" but DiP12 is among the best releases I have. Sugar Mags through the end is just incredible and the "jam" on disc 3 is just exactly what I love the most about this band. This really is what it is all about for me.I know that everyone has their sweet spot but I'm WAY more excited about this box than the GSTL box (not that I don't dig that one, I do). I just feel that 6-22-73 and 5-19-74 are perfect examples of the many shows that are much better than any played after the hiatus. It's cool with me if you have a different opinion, it really is. But seeing "6-28" just made me want to share my passion.
  • Angry Jack Straw
    Joined:
    Still whining about the rainout, huh?
    Get over it. 11:00 hard curfew. Well known. And not being treated properly? Good one. NJ is the biggest pisshole the band ever played. Totally obnoxious and abusive security.
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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.

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7 years 7 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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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

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The individually numbered certificate is in the small wooden box.

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7 years 11 months

In reply to by Alain

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Thank You, Unfortunately the small wooden box was empty.

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7 years 7 months

In reply to by mmckenna

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

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7 years

In reply to by MDJim

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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

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16 years 2 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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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.

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10 years 4 months
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2,154 Left

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by Automaticslim

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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

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6 years 6 months
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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!)

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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 😸😸😸

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In reply to by perithecat

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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.

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In reply to by TLEO 77

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

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10 years 2 months
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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.

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In reply to by daverock

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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. :)

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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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.

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5 years 9 months
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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!;)

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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

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5 years 1 month
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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

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4 years 9 months
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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.

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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,.

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4 years 10 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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(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.

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4 years 9 months

In reply to by aardvark2300

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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!

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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.........

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10 years 7 months
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Check out Rhino for sale through this weekend

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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.

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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.

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... 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.

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17 years 3 months
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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.

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3 years 4 months
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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.

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