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    clayv
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    Due July 10th, WORKINGMAN’S DEAD: 50th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION will be available as a three-CD set and digital equivalents featuring the original album with newly remastered sound, plus an unreleased complete concert recorded on February 21, 1971 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. The show was mixed from the 16-track analog master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir’s Marin County TRI Studios and mastered by Grammy® Award-winning engineer, David Glasser, along with restoration and speed correction by Plangent Processes. 2/21/71 delivers a plethora of songs from both Workingman’s Dead and the band’s follow-up album, American Beauty. Some highlights include Weir’s moving vocal take on “Me and Bobby McGee,” Pigpen’s whiskey-seasoned growl on “Easy Wind” and a stellar run through “Uncle John’s Band” to close out the show.

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  • Sydney Prentice
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    Dennis, the vinyl cover has…

    Dennis, the vinyl cover has been reproduced correctly, if the back appears to be upside down when turning the front left to right, unlike the CD versions, there are a few record covers like that from the seventies, but alas I can't think which ones at the moment.

  • lycanthrope51
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    WMD50 hits St. Charles,IL

    3D cover is a neat touch. Great job on remastering this gem. I’m breaking out an Encore Edible 10 mg. gummy to prep for the2/21/71 show. This is my pre birthday gift to me. Tomorrow I’m turning 69. Life is grand!!! Have a grateful day out there.

  • Ursa Minor
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    HDCD

    Yes, HDCD is used during the mastering process to CD format only. So when they give the final master it goes through a algorithm probably that encodes the information. Yes, you have to have a HDCD compatible player and it's only usable through it's analog outputs... that's the only way to hear it. So, if your little LED read out on your CD player is highlighted "HDCD" but you do NOT have that player going out analog, you will not hear HDCD. Basically, HDCD developed in conjunction with MicroSoft has a unique way of upsampling 16 bit redbook to 20 bit "secret sauce" playback ... I hear a tremendous difference in quality ... to me it sounds as if the master reels are playing right off the mixing console ... I've never had the chance to compare High Resolution 24bit at 96 kHz but I'm sure it sounds as good if not better depending on your digital to analog converters ... As far I as know, GDM is the only label that stills manufactures with HDCD ... SACD which is Sony's format of the same ilk seems to have more of a market, but I like HDCD better than SACD ... sounds much more warm and true to analog sound...

  • Dennis
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    Don't make me go to the closet....

    I just noticed as I was looking at the "really limited" edition vinyl, that the back and front covers of the lp jacket are 180 degrees opposite. (like coins, they have a word for that) If you're looking at the front cover and flip side to side the back is upside down. Normal lp's weren't, right? Does anyone KNOW or has instant access to original LP. I have to dig in closet, which I will do if no one knows off top of the head. Maybe MY copy was assembled wrong and I have the only upside down rear. Kinda like the upside down airplane stamp and it's worth BILLONS. I then have enough money to buy Bob to follow me around playing my life's soundtrack!

  • Dennis
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    It's here.

    Yes the 3D cover, cool.

    The really limited oil stain vinyl looks really cool.

    The picture LP is a standard picture LP. It neat, I get them just to get them. Sad part, I don't know how, but somehow I ordered 2 picture LP's!?!? Oh well. Nice thing about the picture disc is you don't have to open to see it. The other one I had to open to check, so it can't be sold when I'm dead as "unopened", only "unplayed".

  • KeithFan2112
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    Pick My Face Up off of the floor

    This really sounds awesome. I'm on my 10th listen at least. I really love the mix - sounds warmer than Three From the Vault, and probably the best I've heard Pigpen's Hammond sound. I wonder if he uses a different organ or sound effect at the March show from 30 Trips Around the Sound. Dronier sound on that one, but still good (check out Wharf Rat I thik it's 3/18 at the Fox).

    I just received a 4x6 foot poster of the Dead Set album cover. One of my uncles tenants left it behind in a rental apartment years ago. It had been hanging in his basement up in Buffalo for years. He retired to Florida last year and got rid of a whole bunch of stuff. I asked him if he was hanging on to it and he said "no, it's yours". Now I just need to figure out where to hang this monster.

  • bob t
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    Stoltzfus my shipping message just switched today

    From usps awaiting package to pre-shipping.... whatever that means... bob t

  • stoltzfus
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    My turn to sing the Non-Delivery Blues

    Stiiiill waiting on my 2 21 71.

    Less than a week since official release and I am already panicking.

  • Mr. Ones
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    2/21/71

    The second set is almost flawless!! Highlights for me though, are Bird Song, King Bee, & Wharf Rat right on through to the end(UJB). I'm also really enjoying Pigpen's gaffes on Easy Wind, and then Ripple, and another fantastic Cold Rain And Snow(I've still never heard a bad version!!) from set 1. I think I will be playing this a lot(at least until 4/20/84 shows up).
    Everybody enjoy and stay healthy!!

  • Slow Dog Noodle
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    WMD

    Am I the only one whose brain immediately goes to Weapons of Mass Destruction when seeing the WMD acronym? Quite a contrast in this case. Although in a sense WMD is a WMD, but for your head.

    I'm still waiting on mine. I probably haven't listened to the album in 25 years so it'll be good to reset the baselines (not bass lines) for these songs. And then of course a whole live show to dig into....

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Due July 10th, WORKINGMAN’S DEAD: 50th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION will be available as a three-CD set and digital equivalents featuring the original album with newly remastered sound, plus an unreleased complete concert recorded on February 21, 1971 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. The show was mixed from the 16-track analog master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir’s Marin County TRI Studios and mastered by Grammy® Award-winning engineer, David Glasser, along with restoration and speed correction by Plangent Processes. 2/21/71 delivers a plethora of songs from both Workingman’s Dead and the band’s follow-up album, American Beauty. Some highlights include Weir’s moving vocal take on “Me and Bobby McGee,” Pigpen’s whiskey-seasoned growl on “Easy Wind” and a stellar run through “Uncle John’s Band” to close out the show.

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In reply to by One Man

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In the time since I first posted, I listened again to both of Mickey's WD & AB, and spot compared with the regular released versions. Mickey's five channel mixes are striking, even where there are no other differences from the released versions. Example, the bass lines are far clearer, background and double tracked vocals shine. As might be expected, with five speakers, there is more space for each instrument. The only flaw I hear is some introduced reverb in Easy Wind that I think detracts. In some places background and harmony vocals are restored (e.g. New Speedway Boogie), and in all songs have a richer presentation, using the rear channels.

American Beauty is somewhat more radical than Workingman's Dead. Til the Morning Comes actually ends (instead of fading out), Brokedown Palace starts A capella, Friend of the Devil has some additional vocals. These are a different approach. But incredible use of five channels is what makes these mixes memorable as compared with the conventional releases.

Also, in 2002 Mickey released a DVD-audio, Best of Mickey Hart, also in five channel audio (actually 5.1) with selections including one from Diga, a couple each from Mystery Box, Planet Drum, a couple of other tracks, and one unreleased 1996 track from the 100th Olympiad. Also excellent.

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Time and Space as we all know as Drums and Space
Finally received Jai Alai Saturday, One More Grateful Saturday Night
1971 Port Chester . Forensic Dr that's for you
Later Folks

After all Lydon was pretty succinct with the Filthy Lucre tour lol. Sort of like FZ's WOIIFOM take off of the Pistols 2nd fav band after Pink Floyd the fabulous Beatles

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I totally agree with both of you, those 5.1 mixes are just fabulous. I remember when they first came out, wow, what a surprise that was, the best sounding American Beauty I had ever heard, also Working Man's was just unbelievable. I had these two lp's engraved in my heart and soul and the remixes really opened my eyes as to how good these two releases really were and are, as if we didn't all ready know that. Blair jackson wrote about these releases in his blog on this very site years ago and he agreed, what a revelation the new mixes are.

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In reply to by unkle sam

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DOC: those are some mighty big pics, lol. Some of my top wish list shows! You’d think some of those might be more likely Dave’s, but hey, who’d a thunk we’d ever get a complete PC 71 show as a “bonus” disc!! One way or another bring em Dave!

WM & AB on DVD Audio; never heard the surround mix. I have stereo Hi-res copies/files that sound amazing, but they definitely are mixed different than the original releases. Didn’t know Mickey did those? I should pick up Hard copies of those and especially that Mickey Disc up. Interesting, thanks for the info.

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I just saw the new sold out poster go for
$400 on eBay. Unreal.

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Whoa!! WTF happened to Live Dead?? I know it was released prior to Working Man's Dead. Whaaa!😥😪

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I believe that they are only going to release the studio albums for the 50th anniversary releases.

For the AB Deluxe edition do we see another show from Port Chester 2/71? Since live albums aren't getting the deluxe treatment this would mean we won't see another anniversary release until 2023 for 'Wake Of The Flood'. Any thoughts/ideas?

Vguy72: that's just...cruel (lol).

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In reply to by DaveStrang

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Maybe they will save American Beauty until next year to pan things out a bit. Also - a bit of a left field idea - they might consider releasing deluxe editions of Garcia's First and Ace. Brilliant albums both, and chock full of future Dead standards.

Amazing coincidence...I have just checked out the board for pick of the day, and read that Bolo has referenced both these two solo albums in his last post there.

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Dave explains/justifies the inclusion of 2 21 71 w/ Workingman's 50th:

https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-workingmans-dead-50th-ann…

I still disagree. For an album recorded in Feb 70, released June 70, the show shoulda been a 70, not 71.

Have given 5 2 70, 1 2 70, 1 3 70 close listens past few days ... just incredible material ... really thought these WD and AB 50th would be similarly euphoric 1970 collections. The 1 2 70 Dark Star, the entire 1 3 70 bonus disc and the Other One in particular ... just otherworldly stuff ... and thanks to Dave for the beautiful Dave's 30 release. (Not tryna be overly critical ... I just love 1970 ✌ ... and I also listened to the Aoxomoxoa 50th bonus recently, perfect single-disc companion to that album.)

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In reply to by dissident1980

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I have to say I agree. From the rootsy charm of the acoustic sets - which were much more soulful than the ones from later years - to the Dark Stars - to some of the most powerful jams in their history during The Other One, Dancing in the Street, Viola Lee etc..You would have thought an anniversary release of WD would have been a perfect opportunity to celebrate this music. Maybe its been foregone as there is a big old box on the way. But I doubt it.

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What a cool post, thanks for posting it!

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If the guy had ever listened to the New Riders' "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" (Lyrics by Peter Rowan) he would have realised that Barney's Beanery is indeed in L.A. and not in S.F. and could have saved himself both time and effort looking for it. Gotta know your songs!

This in no way diminishes his efforts. A thoroughly interesting and enlightening piece of research.

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Looks like the scene from the Time Machine.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Berry interesting, nice work!
Gotta wonder why they didn’t try to ask anyone from the dead?

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Workingman's Dead gets played every time I get into bbq and beer drinking. Along with the Best of Muddy Waters, Charlie Musslewhite's Louisiana Fog, and Anthem of the Sun. If I had to pick one record of all records ever done, it would be Workingman's Dead.

When watching episode 2 of "Long Strange Trip", Jerry described this album as an extension of American Beauty and that's definitely true. In both albums the dead get away from intense psychedelia, and lean into chill folk and country rock. I also think its cool that in both of these albums CSNY helped the Dead with their harmonizing skills, which is one of many examples of the Haight scene collaborating.

Here's the link to the episode if y'all wanna watch!: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0716M5Q4C/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Damn you have great musical tastes. The only slight modification I would put is Charlie's Vanguard lps are tops of a wonderful life's work. What do you think of his experiments with Cuban and other fusion material he got into from the late 90's

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I've never heard Charlie play Cuban music, but I have heard that he did. My favorite two Musslewhite records are Louisiana Fog and Taking My Time, but I love all that music he put out on Vanguard. I've seen him play a lot of times. Charlie Musslewhite and Little Walter my favorite two harmonica players, but I love all of those blues harmonica players past and present.

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I'm looking to fill some gaps in my collection. I have a few of the official downloads/CDs that they released way back when but they are no longer available.

Anyone out there looking to trade some shows? I have a pretty deep collection of Dead/Phish/Panic/Mule/Cheese/Etc.

Google Drive works great!

DM me.

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not much posting going on.

not that I need to spend time here, but it is a pleasant, occasional diversion.

5/5/81 post drums is worth your while.

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I love this album
It’s one of my favorite, go too albums released by the dead. This album changed me some how. But that’s a whole other story.
I love it!
Have a grateful day everyone.

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Just got relix mail about a 14 lp collection of original albums, 180 gm, beautiful colors, the book, the special gift, limited of course to 3,000.

Boy I flew there, 500 bucks! (hear that large sound of brakes squealing)

Can't a brother get a break.

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Went a looking for that Loser done by the Travelin' McCourys,,,, couldn't find in archive, but you can buy "the single" from amazon for 1.30.

At least a brother could afford that.

…….. for just the price of a cup of coffee a day, you could give a needy Deadhead...….

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Found that Travllin' McCourys show (2015-05-23). It's on the archive. I was looking under Del McCourys Band, but no, it was under TM (like it should be).

It's a nice recording. I think there were 4 recordings of that show, I forget which I took, the best one obviously :-)

Time to put up on gdrive.

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In reply to by vykr

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Maybe they are saving that for the next reissue. Its only 5 years off the 55th anniversary.

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In reply to by daverock

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There are a few copies of this one and American beauty for sale on ebay.

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Back in 1984 I was at Red Rocks to see the Dead and I was given a Pigpen t-shirt from one of the Hog Farm associates. It was made by Stanley Mouse of his portrait of Pigpen from the back cover of Workingmans Dead. Printed on an off white 100% cotton beefy-t it was the bomb. I believe it had been produced by the Hog Farm and Mouse to be a fun-d raiser for SEVA. (Phun-raiser) I used to be a hell raiser , now I’m just a phun raiser. I bought this latest Workingmans Dead t-shirt. Way satisfied. Looking forward to t-shirt, jacket and should get the cap and go down to the Cenex Co-op filling station and shoot the bull with Goober. Andy Griffith was a comic genius .

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In reply to by daverock

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Perhaps they will come out next year? 51st anniversary and 5.1 mixes go together.

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Hats off to you, Okiedoke! Your persistence is greatly appreciated. That's a fun tale. I wonder if the Victorian house was moved somewhere or just plowed down. And wouldn't "Beanie's Place" make a good album title for someone?

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I recommend the jambase stream of 4/21/1972 Beat Club bremen. Right now they are doing playing in the band a second time. I guess the first time through they weren't as warmed up.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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....great post my man. I have the “Pigpen T /Shirt you mentioned in your last post. Only difference is the color, the first edition of these pigpen T- shirt were/ are a beautiful hue’ of Pblue
In first edition was created & offered by the Dead’s long time friend & fan; By the artist, ‘Stanley Mouse Studios! The original first edition shirts are highly sought after or grateful to have in any greatful dead fan base! I have two versions, the original release by Stanley mouse and a 2nd shirt Of mouses’s released with a deep red/ maroon color palette!

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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....great post my man. I have the “Pigpen T /Shirt you mentioned in your last post. Only difference is the color, the first edition of these pigpen T- shirt were/ are a beautiful hue’ of Pblue
In first edition was created & offered by the Dead’s long time friend & fan; By the artist, ‘Stanley Mouse Studios! The original first edition shirts are highly sought after or grateful to have in any greatful dead fan base! I have two versions, the original release by Stanley mouse and a 2nd shirt Of mouses’s released with a deep red/ maroon color palette!

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In reply to by deadheadqueen

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Why is this Workingman's Dead 50th-anniversary collection being released on July 10th, 2020 while the original vinyl album release (WS-1869) was on June 14th, 1970?
I don't enough about the inner workings of Rhino Entertainment or Warner Music Group, but I would have put the release date of Workingman's Dead 50 sometime in June 2020.

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