I think I'm as excited as anyone on Earth about the upcoming release Europe '72: The Complete Recordings. I am a 1972-vintage Deadhead (first show 3/5/72), and the "Americana/jamband" phase of the Dead's amazing creative journey has yielded up many of the most enduring songs and creative improvisations ever made, by the GD or anyone else.
I visited with mixing engineer Jeffrey Norman near the start of his massive undertaking (you can hear that conversation here), and I returned to Prairie Sun Recording in Sonoma County on June 3 to check in with him again. Enjoy!
-David Gans
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dear jeffrey,
thank you so much for all your hard work. i know i speak for all of us when i say ...
WE CAN'T WAIT!!!
Sooooooooo excited.
Sooooooooo excited. Bouncing off the walls with anticipation =)
Wheel of Fortune
Welcome to the latest installment of the It's ALL about the Money Edition of Europe '72. We hope you all enjoyed that little European Tour we sponsored where we opened the doors for one song each night, except the last night, to toss the peasants a morsel. Of course, the numbers we described were much better pieces than we actually selected, but hey, screw'em if they can't take a joke.
So glad that 7200 swirling gypsies are enjoying the ride, but for the Dead of me, like the British Triumph Spitfire, only the British and Corporate Dead could possibly call either production a success.
Clay
Byrd, Go Away
Im sick of people like you spreading your poison here. JUST GO AWAY!!!!!!
Bickershaw
Yes - it was cold. And wet. And windy. And muddy. And, more to the point, it was wonderful - nearly 4 1/2 hours of primo GD.
long time coming
I think I can say it's been a hard few month's waiting for this so far ~ just biding my time :) can't wait!
Thanks
Byrdie,WTF
Hey Man, What the fuck are you talking about?
It is a purely private voluntary decision if one wants to purchase an object or not.
It is known in common circles as capitalism.Talk sense.Be more intentional with your words in the future.
shwack
givin' ya the Byrd
Holy cow! I feel fortunate to be in a position to own these but I don't feel the price is exhorbitant. When you break it down, it works out to about $6.25 per disc. I don't begrudge them for making a few bucks on this project. Why shouldn't they? And look at all the multiple re-issues of The Who, Stones, Doors, etc., that are blatant commercial enterprises with little or nothing new to offer. Aside from some jazz boxed sets, I don't think anybody is as dedicated to putting out a top quality product as these here folks. I appreciate the effort being made. Thank you all. Patiently awaiting.
JeremyP
duuude that's a long wait man! ~ what a first show for you, I was 2 years old getting up to no good. Good to hear this has come full circle for you.
Stoked to be included in the personalised edition and freaking can't wait!!!
What a bargin and skwimite your words are precise.
Well done to the whole team putting this together 'for the lucky heads' whose timing finally paid off.
Grateful Dead is the greatest band in the world and probably will ever be, due to the fact they played for the fans and were wise enough to record the history to share this with all and for eons to come....can't get that kinda satisfaction with any other band. This box is like no other box ever released.
price
I have no problem criticizing the price when it is exorbitant (Warlocks box). The releases are not like a band's studio albums, where tons of time is spent in a studio by both band members and engineers. Here, the music is made, it just has to be mixed. Granted, that takes some time, and I have no issue whatsoever with the job the engineers here do (they do a great job to my ears). But it takes very little time compared to a studio album, and the price should be adjusted accordingly. That being said, as stated above, this release comes out to less than $7 per disc, plus there are a bunch of extras thrown in. That is a similar price to the Dick's Picks and the 69 Fillmore West box. In my book, it is quite fair.
I passed on the Warlocks box because of the price (wasn't that about $16 per disc?) and the era (I like 89 but not at that price). I did buy the 2 Winterland boxes despite the price but because of the era. I also consider the sound quality of what is already out there in my magic equation. I will continue to do a calculation before I buy, I won't buy every release.
I hope people continue to sound off, whether positive or negative, and I commend dead.net for doing very little if any editing of posts. Thanks!
Yeah dstache!
I have no problems about price or anything about the product for that matter... what I do have a problem with is how they handled the ordering and payment for this ... THAT was and is a cluster f**k beyond all comprehension. Take the order but not charge the credit card till 9 some months later?? F-ing ridiculuos... plain and simple .. but the product they are offering is beyond fair price-wise and the quality should be out of this world. I just wish they would take my money and stop f-ing around... I think that is the most F-bombs I have dropped in one post =)
"It's got no signs or dividing line and very few rules to guide"
Upon Further Reflection...
...you just never know when that ol' alligator will getcha. And 7200 in one bite ain't too shabby!Music's a funny thing, you know...and you've now all heard things the rest of us haven't, and probably never will...
Now, I'll show you, snow and rain...
The Byrd
I need the miracle TODAY!
I need the miracle TODAY! But will wait ' 72 more days if needed.
Europe '72 Box Set
What are the chances of getting this autographed?
Pricing is just fine
I don't want to sound like the Dead's PR mouthpiece but I've been a fan since the late '60s. For all these years I and others have enjoyed high-quality concert recordings by the Dead free of charge with the band's blessing providing these recordings be traded and not sold. Whenever a show that I own is released officially, I buy the official version. Why? Because all these years I have enjoyed the concert recordings free of charge. I sort of feel obligated. In this case, the $450 I'm spending are a pittance considering to the hours of enjoyment I've spent with this music -- hours that wouldn't have been available if the band had been as predatory as most of their contemporaries. The people whining about the cost should get a life.
Autographed???
I have it from the highest authority that at least half the band will not sign this box set!!! Jerry, Keith, and Pigpen have boycotted the entire project to meet current committments playing celestial music for heavenly bodies. As a result, they have forfieted all profits from this project to Bob, Phil, Billy and Donna (provided that she doesn't scream any more into expensive microphones---too tough on engineers ears!!). Anyway, money isn't too necessary where they've been hangin' out lately.....
And in that vein, since were all going to the great beyond sooner or later, might I suggest that instead of complaining about spending some money on music some of us have been waiting 40 years to hear, do what all capitalists do. Vote with your dollars. Don't buy it. Quit bitching.Me, I'm gonna enjoy this music for the rest of my life, and that makes the money NOTHING. These recordings are PRICELESS, end of story. Thanks to everyone who has had a hand in making them available in my lifetime. I'm sure there are many people who feel the same way.
....all the years combine.....
wondering
It's a mystery what's going to be in this box, blue ray? na could'nt be, dvd hopefully, autographed please! ~ only time will tell.
This will officially be the most prized possesion I own and will cherish till the day I die!
Rhino ~ thanks for making this happen.
Wish I could afford this
I am going thru one of the lowest income periods of my life, This album turned me on to the Dead back in 72, I wore out at least 2 LP sets, Wish i could afford this,
"Jesus Christ, The Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever"
Well, I hope by throwing in
Well, I hope by throwing in my two cents I don't escalate the cost of this debate too much... but I just have to say, from experience, mixing can be super laborious, time consuming, and very costly, especially if the source material has a myriad of issues which I can only surmise a bunch of live concert multi-track mixes can be - especially given the circumstances of the tour, the experience of those recording it at that time, and a ton of other hurdles that go along with the DIY spirit that the Dead approached problems with especially during this period. This isn't like working with a studio session mix where so much of the recording environment was controlled. Add in all the archival work on photos/videos/legal etc. and by golly there you go why they have to charge what they charge for it.
This whole debate reminds me of those scenes in "Festival Express" where the young freaks are bugging about having to pay $15 bucks to see all those bands while everyone that actually spent money to make something cool and fun for everyone was losing money hand over fist.
Yeah, of course we all wish everything was free... or at the very least that we, ourselves, didn't have to pay... but sometimes unfortunately we do have to live in the materialism world now don't we...
Farrell Timlake
president, Homegrown Video
timlake@homegrownvideo.com
waiting for ther phat sounds of 72'
I am so sorry to hear that Jerry, Keith & Pigpen won't handsign the first 3600 copies. $450 is a lot of money and they were integral in making the music. I do agree with the comment that Donna shouldn't be allowed to sign for screaming into expensive microphones on off-nights.
Dear Mr. President,
This is a pivotal moment in the history of our country. Decisions are being made about the national budget that will impact the lives of virtually every American for decades to come. As we address the issue of deficit reduction we must not ignore the painful economic reality of today - which is that the wealthiest people in our country and the largest corporations are doing phenomenally well while the middle class is collapsing and poverty is increasing. In fact, the United States today has, by far, the most unequal distribution of wealth and income of any major country on earth.
Everyone understands that over the long-term we have got to reduce the deficit - a deficit that was caused mainly by Wall Street greed, tax breaks for the rich, two wars, and a prescription drug program written by the drug and insurance companies. It is absolutely imperative, however, that as we go forward with deficit reduction we completely reject the Republican approach that demands savage cuts in desperately-needed programs for working families, the elderly, the sick, our children and the poor, while not asking the wealthiest among us to contribute one penny.
Mr. President, please listen to the overwhelming majority of the American people who believe that deficit reduction must be about shared sacrifice. The wealthiest Americans and the most profitable corporations in this country must pay their fair share. At least 50 percent of any deficit reduction package must come from revenue raised by ending tax breaks for the wealthy and eliminating tax loopholes that benefit large, profitable corporations and Wall Street financial institutions. A sensible deficit reduction package must also include significant cuts to unnecessary and wasteful Pentagon spending.
Please do not yield to outrageous Republican demands that would greatly increase suffering for the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society. Now is the time to stand with the tens of millions of Americans who are struggling to survive economically, not with the millionaires and billionaires who have never had it so good.
Respectfully,
Sen. Bernie Sanders;
and Co-signers
selfishness of anarchy
I also appreciated the reference to the "Festival Express" protests, only my recollection was their panties were all knotted up about $5 tickets to see those incredible bands. It was quite amusing to see the dean of anti-materialism, one J.Garcia, explaining to the immature whiners how capitalism works. I have no problem paying a fair price for a good (value beyond price if you think about it) product. IRL that's what makes the world go 'round, and things actually get done by people who are good at doing them and we all end up with something we cherish, in part because we supported the effort with our investment.
I feel so sorry for someone who's perception is that the Grateful Dead and those who continue to carry the torch of that unique cultural institution are all about money. You're missing the point, man.
~ I'll meet you some morning in the sweet by and by
Price
The price is NOT exorbitant, it is quite excellent when you break it down to the per-disc level, it is MORE than excellent. Then consider the music you're getting on top of the price break. Holy cow, this has to be the best boxed set deal in the history of compact disc. GDM IS after all in the business of making money and they do NOT owe us a thing, NOT ONE THING, ONE SONG, ONE DISC, ONE BIT OF EFFORT. They are offering us an incredible deal and it is up to us to take advantage of it or not. Complaining about it shows that you do not understand any of what I am saying. Many thanks to the folks with the foresight to record the entire (THE *E*N*T*I*R*E* RUN) of shows. How lucky was that, they best run of shows in the band's career and we have PERFECT recordings of every note (more or less every note). That is the definition of fortuity. There is not a single thing wrong with this entire picture and I personally cannot wait (although I must) for the release date. Incredible, incredible, incredible. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!
Nice
craigeyler - could be the best deal in the history of recorded music, what? Speaking of what, if I/we were to have a bunch of discretionary dollars drop in our laps, what would be the vital equipment with which to listen to our 72 hours of forthcoming tuneage? I'm real happy with what I have, but I can't help but think that there might be something that would help take it to the next level. Higher ups? Contemps?
" Steal Your Jazz "
open letter
Dear Mr Dead.net,
This a pivotal moment in the history of OUR band. Decisions are being made about our personal budgets that impact the lives of virtually every Deadhead for decades to come. As we address the issue of our income deduction we must not ignore the painful economic reality of today - which is that the wealthiest Heads in our land and the largest assholes are doing phenomenally well while the humble working class record collection is collapsing and our mental poverty is increasing. In fact, the United States today has, by far, the most unequal distribution of Betty-Boards and self-congratulatory backslapping of any major country on earth.
Everyone understands that over the long-term, we have got to reduce our smugness - a smugness that was caused mainly by our innate greed, box sets for the rich, two whores, and a recreational drug problem written by our parent's cheques and others' company. It is absolutely imperative, however, that as we go forward with inane comments we completely reject other Heads' rational, logical approach that demands savage cuts in desperately-needy, bitter and spoilt individuals while not asking the idiot self to contribute one bit of effort.
Mr. Dead.net, please listen to the overwhelming majority of Deadheads who believe that petty, pedantic views must be sacrificed. The retarded, ungrateful Heads in the Forums must suck their fair share of cock. At least 50 percent of any reduced package must cum from love-lengths raised, eliminating holes and should be inserted into profiteering constitutions. A sensible reduced package must also include significant cunts that perpetuate unnecessary wasteful Pointless spending.
Please do not yield to outrageous Heads' demands that would greatly increase suffering for the modest, and most well-balanced members of our Forum. Now is the time to stand with the tens of thousands of Heads who are struggling to survive in a sea of hypocrisy, drowning in the self-righteous shit of spoilt, insecure, ungracious fuckers, not with the minority of self-serving, greedy bitches who never had it so good.
Respectively,
Sen. Jonapi;
and Co-signers
A polite addendum -
Dead.net and it's organisation: don't bother doing any more for the people who helped contribute to the Grateful Dead's termination and driving the nail into Jerry's patience and inspirational coffin.
Whatever you do is wrong. They don't deserve it. Problem solved.
Remove all soundboards and audience recordings from archive.org. Prune the vines. Burn existing articles of interest and acquisitions of history. Terminate Youtube violations of Copyright and shut the site down.
Let's really give these unGrateful fucks a reason to complain.
You don't know what you've got until it's gone......
and NOTHING will bring it back.
"holy crap"
sighs Jeffrey Norman
"and there I was thinking I was just mixing tapes of a bunch of old shows"
rough seas
talk about sailing though 30ft mackers in the Bearing Sea ~ jonapi, I hope you have an escape route........................... ~ lol
~>went to see the captain, strangest I could find
~>laid my proposition down, laid it on the line
~>I won't slave for begger's pay, likewise gold and jewels
~>but I would slave to learn the way, to sink your ship of fools
You deserve a medal!
I'm listening to some of your work right now. Words alone cannot express the gratitude that us Deadheads have for you. The E72 will be a masterpiece I have no doubts. We are lucky to have all of you working to deliver this amazing music to us. The folks that drug that recording equipment all over Europe deserve a special award as well, without their dedication, this would never be happening. I'm patiently waiting on my copy to arrive.
Jam on.
Coconut Phil, living Free.
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