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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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  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    A man was walking along the beach....
    ....when he heard a booming voice from the heavens. "DIG!" says the voice. The man looks around, a little confused. "DIG!" Booms the voice again. The man thinks what the fuck and starts digging at the sand in front of him. Suddenly he hits a wooden box. He picks it up and the voice shouts "OPEN!" He opens it to see hundreds of gold coins. He's a little taken aback when the voice shouts again "CASINO!" Fuck it, thinks the guy, so off he walks. He enters the casino door when he hears the voice shout "ROULETTE!" He walks over to the roulette table and awaits more instructions. "16 BLACK!" the voice says So the man puts the whole chest on 16 black, the wheel is spun and it lands on 5 red. "FUCK!" booms the voice.... . Ask, and ye shall receive....
  • KeithFan2112
    Joined:
    Pacific Pandemic
    That's what's going to happen in early September when we all get our Pacific Northwest box sets. Nobody's going to work that week. I really can't think of a box set that would have made me happier, except for one with more shows. I suppose I would be as happy for a 1972 box set. Next year. Nick Merriweather picked two of these shows in an article from 2012: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/nic…
  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Cross eyed, Oxford, and Daverock
    Born Cross Eyed; I don’t envision Vguy quite that successful yet. More like in a dimly lit room so smoky you can barely see....perhaps some old disinterested strippers off In the corner. A drummer who literally does nothing but rim shots...Dressed in a thin, too small suite with a thin tie half done ala Rodney Dangerfield... He’s got the one liners down. In fact he seems to be getting better with time, but he needs a couple longer jokes to help fill his slot.....heeyyyy-oooooo! Keep em coming boy, your starting to get a following; ) Oxford 88; I laughed and groaned....used to play gigs till three am then have to be at the country club by 6:00 AM for “player services”....besides running your ass off, the hardest part was having to be nice to everyone, no matter what.”My that’s a fine looking sweater your wearing today Mr Johnson”... Day in and day out it’s harder then many think! Man we were so whupped after Oxford, that’s was a looong drive back to WNY. Luckily I didn’t have to drive and being the fourth had the day off....but what a fun scene that was... Daverock; you should not feel so bad since you probably had way less opportunity, and I suspect you were trying to have a somewhat normal life too? I think I was actually more like 7 over 17, but I did alright under my circumstances.... Bolshy Girlfriend. That just sounds bad. I love some of the English sayings. Have had a couple English buddies, they always crack me up. One guy, Steve O, half the time we can’t tell WTF he’s saying, but when you do, your still LYAO because he was so dam funny.... Perhaps you should of pulled a Bobby/John Phillips and “left her dead ass there by the side of the stage” figuratively of course ; )
  • Born Cross Eye…
    Joined:
    Vguy's dog joke one liner
    On July 18, 2018 - 7:23pm, Vguy72 posted: (subject box) So, I rescued a dog from a blacksmith.... (body box) ....as soon as I got him home, he made a bolt for the door. Very funny Vguy, I can imagine you doing stand-up comic on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and/or The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but that's all in the past. In the present here and now, I can imagine you standing along Freemont Street and 4th Street, in front of the "Western Village" pan-handling with these one-liners.
  • Oxford 88
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    Joined:
    My grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary...
    I never had to call in sick as my bosses were generally pretty cool with me hitting the road as long as I came back. This included commuter shows-two hour drive to Hartford, catch the show, drive home and work the breakfast shift the next morning. Do it all over again for the next two days. After Oxford, I had to be back on 7/4 at 8:00 AM to work the grill for all the country club kiddies by the pool. After the wild traffic getting out of Maine (I was the dosed last driver-everyone else had collapsed) we pulled in at 6:30 AM. I took a shower, ate what we had in the house and went to work. I was the grumpiest grill guy ever. The bigger challenge was how to miss a stretch of time each semester while at UMaine. The death in the family just didn't feel right and could not be presented ahead of time (in order to reschedule exams, get papers in, etc). For three years, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, in the fall and in the spring. My professors always wished them well with heartfelt congratulations.
  • daverock
    Joined:
    Shows missed and shows seen-Oroborous
    I wouldn't feel too bad about missing all those shows if I was you. 7.5 shows over 17 years sounds very impressive to me. I saw 5. And one of those I left half way though-as I have said before-because of my bolshy girlfriend.
  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Should have gone.....
    7/23/90...yeah, I bet you still kick yourself for missing that one......Calling in well....from pay phones, hotel lobbies hee-hee. No cell phones back then kids. icecrmcnkd knows what I’m talkin bout. Generally I did pretty well as far as shows go, considering I never went full in. I usually had to have a job, but never much money. Usually trying to play music somehow. Trying to have a balanced? Life. I think I averaged 7.5 per year over 17 years. So not too many regrets, but some.... - Some fall 78 shows...”too young”, too broke, no car etc, but perhaps that was preordained—if you dig that sort of thinking—because of what my first show FINALLY turned out to be 1/20/79! - 9/1/79 people I could have gone with were “too much older” and “it’s too far” grrrrrrr! - 6/18/83: 2/3rds of the booze brothers went, why I did not I still don’t know, I mean I do, but it makes no sense... - couple of early 80s, lake placid, glens falls...? Not quite as solid opportunitys for these, but could have... - 6/25/85: had so much fun at toga for 2 days in 84, figured we wanted to go early.in 85 also.....idiots. We did have fun, but..... - 7/2/85; it was basically on the way home for fucks sake.... - 86 fall tour..... - 4/2,3,4/87; sold the tickets because we had had enough after 8 shows.....wusses.... - 87 fall tour; was burnt on the whole scene, the choice of venues etc......idiot, I should of gone to at least one city. No real reason not too... - 3/26/88; only show I ever was shut out... -6/28/88; sold tickets because I had to go to hospital for tests etc. long story, big bummer! Should have pushed back, but I was scared shitless..... -10/18/88; stayed in Fla and played golf and hung out at beach in Naples.....tough choice? - More 89; new job, broke etc....IDIOT!!!. including 4/9/89 went to 4/8, so it was close by and it would of been sunday night, so I probably could of made it home for work Monday...7/19/89 (see earlier post), and 10/25&26/89 Doooooaaaa! Sold tix because I serendipitously went to 10/8&9/89 and Philly, so couldn’t afford Miami then. These 2 really hurt, still.....ouch! ??? probably a coupla few more. By 91-92 didn’t really care so much. Would go if convenient.... Sorry, didn’t realize there were so many. Shit now I’m kinda bummed : ( Oh well, shoulda, woulda, coulda....it’s funny now to look back at the “jobs” and things that seemed sooooo important......IDIOT!!!
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Margo went the silver route lately apparently....
    https://youtu.be/ROyiZZOY00ABowie cover. Very, very nice. ....song, band, voice and hair.
  • jrf68@hotmail.com
    Joined:
    Bird Song flu...
    is still better than a case of Black Muddy River. Talk about not being able to work. Can take an entire tour to rid yourself of that bug.;O) ...anyone remember people with 'chingers' on tour? (they made payphones free)
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    So, about that new Cowboy Junkies record....
    ....Sing Me A Song is a current favorite....Sing me a song about life in America Sing me a song of love Sing me a song about life in your neighbourhood Sing me a song of love I know a man who dropped to his knees Clasping his hands in prayer Beside him, she said: "It looks more like grief" But mostly she just didn't care Tell me a tale about the one you keep near Sing me a song of joy Tell me a tale about those that are dear Sing me a song of joy She veiled her days in pale hues of gray The brightness of her children an undoing She spent all her days in a cold burning rage The brightness of her children was galling Unburden your hearts, let loose your fear Sing me a song of forgiveness Make a fresh start, face all your fears Sing me a song of forgiveness He came to that moment in every man's life He confronted the path before him Betrayed by the emptiness days without light He turned and he made a decision Sing me a song of love Sing me a song of joy Beside him, she said: "It looked more like regret" But mostly she would like to forget Sing me a song of love Sing me a song of joy https://youtu.be/k19OCwNrHMc .... worth five years of waiting. A musical treasure. Try it! I value your opinions Deadland. And yes, they gave Margo an echo effect on this track. Wonderful!
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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.

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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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13 years 5 months
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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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9 years

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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10 years 2 months

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 2 months
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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 10 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 11 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 10 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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13 years 7 months
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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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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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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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