Buckle up as we take a deep dive into Giants Stadium!
What's Inside:
5 Previously Unreleased Complete Giants Stadium Shows On 14 Discs
7/12/87 (24-track masters)
7/9/89 (24-track masters)
7/10/89 (24-track masters)
6/16/91 (48-track masters)
6/17/91 (48-track masters)
Blu-ray/DVD video of the complete 6/17/91 show, mixed in surround sound Mixed from the multitrack master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir's TRI Studios Mastered in HDCD by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering with Plangent Processes restoration Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 10,000
By 1987, the Grateful Dead had lived many of their nine lives but were about to embark on one not a soul had seen coming. In The Dark, their first studio album in seven years, had spawned a hit (A TOP 10 SINGLE FOR THE GRATEFUL DEAD?!) and "Touch Of Grey" begat a new generation with their fanny packs and their MTV and their undeniable quest to join the party already in progress. And boy, did the Dead let them in! But not without fine-tuning their sonic vibes to meet the new demand.
"The Swamp," as Giants Stadium was affectionately known, along with the grandstands the Dead had been frequenting, would seemingly equate with BIGGER and LOUDER, but the band "remained determined to give equal weight to the more subtle, oblique elements; to the exploratory improvisation and rhythmic complexities; to the fine details of the most heart-rending ballads as well as the weirdest dissonances in the jams."
With GIANTS STADIUM 1987/1989/1991, we retrace this journey from their 1987 breakthrough to their 1989 revelation ("the closest they ever came to sounding like a really polished stadium-level rock act, but the band’s penchant for breaking out of the constraints of song structure and into freewheeling improvisation will remind you just who you’re listening to here") to their transformative return in 1991, aided by elegance of Vince Welnick and Bruce Hornsby.
GIANTS STADIUM: 1987, 1989, 1991 features five previously unreleased shows that were recorded at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on: July 12, 1987; July 9 and 10, 1989; and June 16 and 17, 1991. Originally recorded by John Cutler, each show has been mixed from the multitrack master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir's TRI Studios in San Rafael, CA, and mastered in HDCD by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering. The first three shows are mixed from 24-track masters. The final two from 1991 are the only Grateful Dead shows ever recorded to 48-track masters. We’re rounding things out with a little visual stimuli - the entire multi-camera 6/17/91 concert recording on either two DVDs or a single Blu-ray, both with a surround mix by Norman.
Due September 27th, this release is limited to 10,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively from Dead.net. We highly suggest you grab a copy while you can so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out.
Prefer your boxed set 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.
right on BobT
Raining here, too in Bong Land. I was able to wedge in some 9/27/72 and the Dew from DP7 for the last hour. :-)
Looks Like Rain - Bob songs
I like the 1972 versions when Jerry plays pedal steel, and the 1976-78 ones due to Donna's back up vocals. But it has never been a favourite of mine. That honour, for a Bob song, could be Greatest Story-not played that often, and always welcome. There is a great version in the 73 Winterland box-played on the 9th, where they sound to me as though they are going to go into St Stephen in the break. I'm not as keen on Sugar Magnolia as I used to be - and it sure crops up in a lot of shows !
Looks Like Pain(ful) to listen to...
My mother told me if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Too bad I don't always listen to her.
Whenver "Looks Like Rain" comes on, I skip to the next song. I've heard it enough. It's a horrid, mopey dirge. The rest of the band induldged Bob on this one, perhaps because he did give so many good songs.
I don't believe, correct me if I'm wrong, Dead & Co. has ever played that toilet.
\m/
Raining and 60 in Viking Land as well
Perhaps 11/20/78 is DaP 32? They got the Betty back, but have been listening to the audience in order to make a patch or two? Since the aud was near the top of the pile, they threw it on Sirius?
When LLR is done well, it's blissful . . .
I have had the good fortune...
of listening to a bunch of the box set shows on unofficial CDs
they are really, really good.
I am surprised. my initial reaction to the box announcement was "yeah that's nice", but now I am like "YEAH, that's gonna be cool!"
7/9/89: the jam in NFA is tremendous!
7/10/89: I take it there was a rain shower or two that night...?
6/17/91: winner...winner...winner...
it would actually be irresponsible of me to buy the box, but I am very tempted.
Maybe I'll find $200 on the street today
Guilty as charged
I am really looking forward to the '87 show. I might say most simply because of the dearth of 1987 releases. How many have there been, 2?
Looks Like Rain
I have a love/hate relationship to the song. I love the music/groove but find the lyrics brutal. Obviously, "streetcats making love" is cringe worthy. I'm pretty cynical about feline romance. I always wonder what Jerry thought about those lyrics. He had such impeccable taste, I bet he razzed Bobby about them a time or two. Didn't Barlow himself detest the lyrics? Still I usually love the musical groove of the song, especially in the early 80's. It seems like one of the few songs that really was at its best in the early 80's, along with Cassidy and Bird Song. Jerry seemed to love the ending groove of the song - his playing was usually fresh and original.
Streetcats making love
At some point in the past on this site (I don’t know exactly when because it all rolls into one), during a previous discussion about LLR, someone posted that “streetcats making love” refers to Pigpen and Janis.
Don’t know if that is true.
There are some good LLR’s with Donna.
Re: Carlo, First Box
First.. congrats.
All of mine have been hand delivered by bicycle messenger. All except one were delivered by a very buff MaryE herself on a 1976 sears bike complete with monkey bars, a banana seat and rainbow colored streamers twirling out from the bar ends. Santa could learn a lot from her work ethic. It's advised to invite her in for cookies and cocoa.
A word of advice though.. Best to have at least £84 on hand just in case yours is delivered by one of the evil UPS lords. :O
Shipping boxes....
....they are usually an art form of their own. I have all my boxes boxes, except the Spring '77. My wife of twenty years used it to mail hand towels to someone. I let her have it for approx two minutes, then realized I was overreacting. Or was I??
Box Boxes
Vguy, feel better about the stack of dead box boxes in my garage after reading your post. And yes, some of them are works of art themselves. I was at the '87 show and I am increasingly eager to get this box. My attitude has gone from an initial feeling of optimistic ambivalence to an exponentially increasing feeling of anticipation, especially after the first listen to the West LA Fadeaway from the '87 show. I have high hopes for sound quality for this box.
Box art boxes
Guys, thanks for the interesting stories on the box art boxes for the box.
Vguy72
No, you were not overreacting to your wife's use of the box box. Let the darn women get her own box. It's bad enough they prevent us from having our motorcycles, man caves and shotguns. We have to have something of our own. P.S.- I made sure I was writing this in the closet lest she see this, right? Ha!!
Scarlet>Fire Day
Hey hey!
The boys played Scarlet>Fire at 4 of the 5 shows played TDIGDH (9/13) - 83, 87, 91, and 93. The only one without it is 81, which is a good show (rarely a bad show at the Greek,) but alas, they played the S>F the night before.
Happy Friday, DeadLand! I'm going on a S>F binge!
Peace
@That's Otis Scarlet>Fire day
How can it not be a nice day!!! I saw the Landover show in 87!! I just got in the mail this morning the Fall 89 Jerry Garcia Band and Weir/Wasserman Long Island Sound 6 CD shows. Garcia website had it on sale a few weeks back so I ordered it. I can't remember why I didn't buy it when it first came out... bob t
Box Boxes
I totally agree the Box Boxes are a true art form.
Whoever suggested a box for the Box box is on to something.
When I bought an Alvarez 50th anniversary GD acoustic guitar, it too came is a beautiful box! I've definitely held on to some of these over time, but having just moved and landed in a cavernous alien lair, who knows where these box Boxes ended up.
There's gotta be a Dr. Seuss poem or wordplay out there somewhere about a Box of box boxes or the like.
Can any one say 'Russian Nesting Dolls'?
Happy Friday Deadfreaks.
Sixtus
Is It Just Me...
...or are there others reading these comments about boxes and wives with a head full of double entendres?
Box fetish
I was guilty of hanging on to all the boxes' boxes, but recently allowed them to be recycled. Got some new Magnepan speakers this spring, but hung on to those boxes as well, even though I would just drive the speakers up to the factory if there were a problem; I've purchased all my Magnepans directly from the factory. So the Maggie boxes went to recycling as well. :(
VGuy, how's the new Onkyo working? I propel my Maggies with a 25-year old Onkyo receiver/amp. That thing has been a great workhorse. Great value.
Eddie Money
Two Tickets to Paradise
Baby Hold On To Me
memories
y'all be cool, Eddie. RIP.
9-13-93 Scar>Fire
Hotter than I remembered...
Had RT stuck around, maybe we'd have seen more from '93.
Nice separation on the recording. Perhaps a series revival is in order? :-)
Happy Friday, folks...
LLR Controversy
Yeah it was a big deal for those of us old enough to remember. The street cats didn't take kindly to having their sacred ritual compared to animals fighting. Lotta violence, in the alleys, especially after the house cats started heckling them from their window sills.
Re: Feline Controvesy
Haa.. "heckling from the window sill"
And to this day, the street cats are plotting revenge against the house cat aristocracy.
2 tickets to paradise.....
Sooooo, would that be Hampton?, the Rocks, perhaps the Greek or Frost??
Edit: or whatabout Gainesville?
Earlier...
1 14 79
Ifn theyd pro-taped those early 79s....
Some classic GD
Most neglected show of 74 by me... 9/14/74 Olympia Halle
Giving it a listen on its 45 anniversary.. first 5 songs are audience before the board kicks in. I remember reading someplace how Bill talked about how good this show sounded, (maybe during Winterland 74 shows.) It's one of those shows lacking a big big jam for that year. No Playing in the Band either. I usually go from Alexandria Palace shows right to Dijon 9/18/74.... Just wanted to see if I am missing something. At the point in Scarlet where it kicks from Audience to Board. hmmm this is going to be fun!! Have a good weekend everyone, Bob t
Morning Rockers!
Okay, so it's not morning.......but the point is Forensic Doc sends his regards (and I dare say listen to more '71!) He mentioned the 10/29/71 show was a winner (Cleveland). I immediately downloaded it, grabbed some album art work from the Dead and Co page, and planted that bad boy on my phone. Audio is good, performance is great and gets stronger as the show goes on. The Other One is red hot. Brokedown Palace is stunning. Great stuff. Keith is in his pre-grand piano days, so you get that sharp sounding barrel house rock 'n roll edginess of the stand-up pie-anner.
Bobby T, I don't know that 9/14/74 show at all. Sounds like I need to investigate. I was just emailing my Uncle Gary last night, marvelling at how good the Dark Star is from 2/22/74 (DaP 12 I think - Skeleton Skaters). Here Comes Sunshine from the next night is also fantastic - possibly my new all time favorite (and the audio of the soundboard is almost release quality). So yeah, I've been into the '74 cookie jar as well and look forward to your 9/14 recommendation.
HQ
This is the finest sounding listening party I've ever heard here. These tracks sound amazing. I can't wait for this box.
Last five:
Origin Suite - Michael Waldrop
Moanin' - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Live In Studio - Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio
Paris, Texas (soundtrack) - Ry Cooder
Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
9/14/74 Olympia Halle
Ok I try to be a positive voice when it comes to the Dead. Listen to Wharf Rat, Sugar Magnolia and Eyes of the World OMSN for the most enjoyable part of the show... Not to date myself but do you remember when you forgot to pop the tops of the cassette tape off so you couldn't accidentally tape over?? This was back in the 1980's.. That is what the sound board part of the show sounds like, until Wharf Rat... Bobby messes up lyrics early in Truckin.. Two big skips in Weather Report Suite.. Sorry I tried... bob t
Fire....
https://youtu.be/qz9OAVExL2g
....Fire On The Mountain. Chick magnet, this guy.
I remember popping tabs bob, and not just on cassettes. Shit. I just dated myself!
Thanks KF
And "Doc" indirectly it sounds. I am enjoying 10/29/71 this morning with coffee on the porch. Happy to hear you're in touch with forensicdoc. That man has some Dead knowledge! Here is the link if anyone is interested https://archive.org/details/gd71-10-29.sbd.miller.24999.sbeok.shnf
The listening party does sound clean! Does it drive anyone else nuts to hear the late era Bird Songs and NOT hear Weir playing his guitar part on the main melody??? In the seventies he and Jerry would play pretty much the exact same melody on top of each other, except for the last note. Jerry would go down a note and Bobby would go up one (I don't know if "note" is the right word, maybe it's octave or chord). I never hear Weir play his part on the 80s versions and it's like ending a song on an unexpected chord. My brain feels unresolved!
I finally took the plunge on the July 1978 box set. Now that I've ripped Bobby about Bird Song, I'm going to end on a good note by saying two of his long songs from this period sound even better than 1977. The Music Never Stopped and Estimated Prophet. They have much longer jams in them on these July '78 shows. I guess I should say they're better than the spring 1977 shows. I can't speak for autumn 1977 because I can't really recall. These are some of the most enjoyable renditions of the songs I've heard though.
There has been a lot of talk about a 1972 box set. What are the 10 best unreleased shows of the 2nd half? I'm only familiar with the Berkeleys and the Stanley theaters. They would be on my list, unless there is better. I hear about Austn a lot, but the sound board recording is too shabby for my ears.
Exile
Cool avatar name, probably my favorite Stones record. Took me some time to understand it, but one day it all clicked.
Your Bird Song comment caught my interest, because I recalled that Jerry, not Bobby, was the one who played higher on the 1972 /1973 performances (on the second part of that melodic line only; the opposite is true of the first part of the line). I only know this because I frequently listen on headphones and it's one of my top 4 or 5 favorite Dead songs.
I just tuned into the listing party version from 7/10/89, and I noticed a couple of things. First, Jerry is going low on that second part, instead of Bobby. So right off the bat, that is different from how he used to play it. And you're right, Bobby is not picking away at the same main Bird Song Melody along with Jerry. Bobby seems to be hitting some chords if he's playing during that part at all.
The second thing is, it sounds like there are two keyboard players, but I Googled a list of shows with Bruce Hornsby, and he's not listed as playing with the Dead on 7/10/89. I don't know what's going on with that. Maybe the list I Google just Incorrect and Hornsby is onstage? But the bottom line is as you said, Bobby is not playing that line, and nobody is hitting that high note that ends the second line of the melody.
Robert Frank R.I.P.
I read an obituary for the great photographer Robert Frank this morning. His photographs grace the cover of Exile On Main Street. A great artist of many years standing, mainly known for his seminal book of photographs, called simply "The Americans." He also worked with Jack Kerouac, and shot the infamous Stones film "Cocksucker Blues" on their 1972 tour of America.
Oshino Dead Festival....
....today I learned there is an annual Grateful Dead festival in Japan.
https://youtu.be/Jyl3hL-4BsE
....I would go.
edit. Went and saw Iron Maiden Friday night. Impressive setlist and production. They still bring it. If you told me in 1982 that they would still be relevant and sell out the MGM Grand Garden Arena 37 years later, I told have asked to have some of what you were smoking. One of my first musical loves.
Got a whopping three hours of sleep before work the next day, but worth it. 🤘
Japan
We truly are everywhere!
Let’s go, you and I, while we can....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVCfFJ_l_4
The Dead in Japan
Except you would see people standing around with a finger in the air saying "Watashi wa kiseki ga hitsuyo"!!!!!
D&C Japan Tour
Japan deserves a D&C tour.
The FTW Box has crowd video before one of the shows and there is an old Japanese Head who says he flew in from Japan and didn’t have a ticket. That’s Deadication, hope he got in for at least one night.
Bobby and the Valentines
8-27-94 Japan
D&C really should do a Japan, Australia, NZ, Hawaii tour for the GD fans on that part of the globe.
A European tour too, can’t leave them out.
Anyway, speaking of rock n roll in Japan.
Cheap Trick at Budokan!!!!!!
Without that album Cheap Trick may not have been mentioned in Fast Times At Ridgemont High.
Spicoli.
Take that Vguy.
And just like that....
....I learned that Ric Ocasek passed today at the age of 75. Time to play some Cars. I don't believe in coincidences. Or do I?
First Eddie Money...and Now
Ric Ocasek. Well I hope that saying it happens in 3 stops here. Cars had some good tunes.
R.I.P. Mr Ocasek......