Listen To The River: St. Louis '71 '72 '73 (20-CD)

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July 21, 2021 - 6:32am

1,587 replies

Srinivasan.Mut…

Joined:
July 2, 2018

What's Inside:
7 Previously Unreleased Complete Shows On 20 Discs
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 12/09/71
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 12/10/71
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10/17/72
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10/18/72
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10/19/72
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO 10/29/73
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO 10/30/73
Sourced from tapes recorded by Rex Jackson, Owsley "Bear" Stanley, and Kidd Candelario
Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
Restoration and Speed Correction by Plangent Processes

Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 13,000

Steamboats and BBQ, ice cream cones and Mardi Gras - are you ready to laissez les bons temps rouler with the "gateway" to the Grateful Dead? Meet us, won't you, in St. Louis for seven complete and previously unreleased Dead concerts that capture the heart of the band's affinity for the River City.

LISTEN TO THE RIVER: ST. LOUIS ’71 ’72 ’73 is a 20CD set featuring five shows from the Fox Theatre - December 9 and 10, 1971; October 17-19, 1972; and two from the Kiel Auditorium - October 29 and 30, 1973.

The seven shows in the collection span slightly less than two years, but they represent some of the best shows the Grateful Dead played during some of its peak tours. The music tells the story of a band evolving, changing from one sound to another seamlessly, precipitated – in large part – by significant personnel changes in the Dead’s lineup.

The two 1971 shows feature the original Grateful Dead lineup plus newcomer Keith Godchaux on piano. This version of the band would hold together for the next six months as the Dead embarked upon its Europe ’72 tour. By the time the Dead returned to the Fox Theatre less than a year later, they were without Pigpen, who’d played his final show with the Dead at the Hollywood Bowl on June 17, 1972. A year after the exceptional Fox 1972 shows, the Dead came back to St. Louis, but played the much larger Kiel Auditorium, touring behind the release of WAKE OF THE FLOOD, which came out just two weeks before.

All told, the band played 60 different songs during these shows highlighted by blazing romps through “Beat It On Down The Line” and “One More Saturday Night” and wistful takes on “Row Jimmy” and “Brokedown Palace” (whose lyrics give the collection its name). Meanwhile, the copious jamming ebbed and flowed like the mighty Mississippi River on multiple voyages through “The Other One” and “Dark Star.” Naturally, the band paid tribute to one of its favorite rock and rollers and one of St. Louis’ biggest stars by playing Chuck Berry songs at every show in the collection, including Pigpen galloping through “Run Rudolph Run.”

Each show has been restored and speed corrected using Plangent Processes with mastering by Jeffrey Norman. The collection comes in a slipcase with artwork by Liane Plant and features an 84-page hardbound book as well as other Dead surprises. To set the stage for the music, the liner notes provide several essays about the shows, including one by Sam Cutler, the band’s tour manager during that era, and another by Grateful Dead scholar Nicholas G. Meriwether, among others.

Due October 1st, LISTEN TO THE RIVER: ST. LOUIS ’71 ’72 ’73, is limited to 13,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively from Dead.net.

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March 20, 2022 - 4:49am

#41

That Mike

Joined:
November 1, 2014

The Dead Sell Out

Jerry sitting in a tub of baked beans!?!?

I think you hit hammer to nail, Oro - it is saturation. Plus, as you pointed out, it is likely more a case with the less hard core Dead Head, in that they may see a certain pattern to these box sets, and just how many “Me And My Uncle” versions does a fan have to own!? For those that are more deeply entrenched in ALL THINGS GRATEFUL DEAD, all the box set releases are worthy of owning. I think DaveRock has an interesting suggestion in going directly to people to canvas them via survey (savvy marketing); anyone reading these threads for a while will notice, for instance, a roaring demand for some 60s material see the light of day.

To me, if I’m a fan of artist Edward Hopper (I am), I’m going to want to see as much of his art as possible, for my Hopper Fan Boy eyes see subtleties and complexities others maybe wouldn’t; a casual art observer may be content with his “Greatest Hits”, ie - Nighthawks or Chop Suey.

Regardless, this River box is a winner, as are all the boxes I am fortunate enough to own.
March 19, 2022 - 11:34pm

#42

Nick1234

Joined:
September 10, 2008

DaveRock surveys

Funnily enough I remember doing a Survey monkey survey over on LL regarding box sets that people would like to see, a couple of years before the E72 box came out. I included Fox Theatre 72 ( my favourite) but E72 was the clear winner. The general consensus at the time was that it would never happen 😀.
March 19, 2022 - 3:58pm

#43

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Power to the People

Maybe if the boxes aren't selling out so fast it would be a good idea to do a survey - find out what most people would most like. Maybe at this stage of the game there are more and more people who aren't going to buy literally everything - just shows or eras that they particularly like. So if the powers that be knew what the most wanted eras were, they could focus more on those.
That's assuming that people still want big box sets, that is. They might something entirely different.
March 19, 2022 - 12:51pm

#44

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Or maybe…

some, the general public, as compared to the hardcore addicts who hang here, have purchased enough of basically, relatively speaking, the same stuff over and over?
Now don’t get yer panties in a bunch, I love this box, the 2 Dark Star discs alone are worth it to ME! And they all sound good, but those 71 shows sound amazing!
But my point is there are a shit ton of Deadheads out there who aren’t us, way more that don’t come hang here, or think about the dead anywhere near as much or how we do.
I agree to all the points you guys have made, but perhaps there are other, additional, bigger factors in why a couple of seemingly instant sell out boxes have languished…burn out and/or satiation?
Just riffing here, but you have to consider that there are folks who feel they have enough (ok, easy now, I know, I know sacrilege lol) of this relatively small window but high concentration of shows?
MAYBE that’s why something like Giants sold out so fast? As I say, I agree with what you guys have said, but maybe some folks would like a little more variety? Just a thought. Doesn’t mean your opinion is not valid (holy shit, spell check tried to change that to Vlad! NO, BAD SPELL CHECK!) just means gulp, some people like more and/or other stuff.
I know I kinda feel this way and I like ALL years! As long as it’s a great show comparatively to its year or tour, I’ll take whatever they’ll give, but I also know I can get burned out on any era if I listen to it too much, but hey, that’s just me.
Once again I’m probably proving I’m Sargent Shultz ; )
March 19, 2022 - 9:52am

#45

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

STL Box is awesome

A download version is available for those who are shelf-space-challenged, so maybe that contributes to the physical Box not yet being sold out.
Wonder if the download version will be discontinued when the Box is sold out.

Dave,
Time to announce the next Box.
March 19, 2022 - 6:13am

#46

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

BCE'd for the win

Sounds about right.

I think the boxes take longer to sellout for two reasons.
- Sticker shock
- You get some shows you love and a few tangent shows tossed in just because

I personally really enjoy them, I am not sure there is a stinker in the bunch. It also opens up exposure to things just around the bend that you might not have been shown the light to. Thinking July '78 and the Giants box for example. Really great music and great recordings from shows (with the exception of 7/8/78) that had escaped my attention.

As for price, the cost per disc is not high, they just contain a shlits ton of music.

As for the price tag and shelf space dilemmas, so far I have been able to make peace with it all. Which begs the next question, what box will grace our doorsteps this year?
March 18, 2022 - 12:37pm

#47

Born Cross Eye…

Joined:
August 25, 2008

When will this St Louis box sell out?

Who really knows, because I don't. My guess is December 2022. By then we will have another box to buy (if we want it)
However, this St Louis box has some great music in it.
March 17, 2022 - 4:02am

#48

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

No sell out here

I wonder if the further we go back in time, the less likely a box is to sell out quickly. I get the impression that a lot of people are more interested in shows-or tours for that matter - where they themselves were present , rather than ones from before their time.
I'm not personally like that - although I would say that in the years I did see them-1981 and 1990 - I would be more interested in boxes/releases from the European tours than I would from ones on either side of them. But I would still prefer a box from 1969 or 1972 to one 81 or 90. Possibly because it wasn't seeing them live that turned me on to them, it was listening to the records. Also, to come to the crunch, at this moment in time I prefer the music from 69 and 72 to the later dates.

Incidentally, I don't think there are any long term bands or musicians where I like all their music from across several decades equally. David Bowie, Hawkwind , The Stones and Iggy Pop all come to mind as people whose records I loved during the 60s and 70s - but who I went off to differing degrees as the late 70s- 80s kicked in. It was always the music I liked more than the scene surrounding it. I never felt that by liking a musician/band/style of music that I was joining some kind of club.

Going back to the Dead, I agree that the 3rd disc of 10/18/72 is the epicentre of the St Louis box.
March 16, 2022 - 8:29pm

#49

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Re: Amazed At

I am not surprised at all this has not sold out. Par for the course for non-1977 or 1972 excellent box sets. PNW, July 78 and many others took sometimes years to sell out. It's interesting as a similar quality show from Dave's Picks for a larger numbered run (where are we now, about 25k) sells out in a few hours.

I'll take the win, love 72 and 77 but this period scratches my itch, and these shows are quintessential, simply killer.
Disc 3 of 10/18 is sublime, a single disc worth the price of the whole box. The rest is a bonus.

I could care less if it never sells out or if nobody buys another copy. I purchased this the first day it was offered, made amends to my budget. All was and is good with the world.

Edit: I think I thought the same thing when I got FW69, E72 and Winterland 77. So if you miss out, don't look on EBay and you were warned..
March 15, 2022 - 1:48pm

#50

Edhead70

Joined:
September 24, 2008

im amazed that this box set…

im amazed that this box set still has not sold out. Was listening to it over the weekend and although the shows a readily available to download they are not this stellar of quality. You can hear everything very clear. You can tell some time was spent remixing these gems. All shows represented in this box set are smoking and take the listener from rocking good time dead to far out, installer travel. If you haven't purchased get it while its still available. Its a chunk a change for sure, but man its owe so sweet and is well worth the price. the other items that come with are interesting and cool mementos, but man the music is outrageous. Enjoy!!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

What's Inside:
7 Previously Unreleased Complete Shows On 20 Discs
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 12/09/71
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 12/10/71
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10/17/72
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10/18/72
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10/19/72
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO 10/29/73
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO 10/30/73
Sourced from tapes recorded by Rex Jackson, Owsley "Bear" Stanley, and Kidd Candelario
Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
Restoration and Speed Correction by Plangent Processes

Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 13,000

Steamboats and BBQ, ice cream cones and Mardi Gras - are you ready to laissez les bons temps rouler with the "gateway" to the Grateful Dead? Meet us, won't you, in St. Louis for seven complete and previously unreleased Dead concerts that capture the heart of the band's affinity for the River City.

LISTEN TO THE RIVER: ST. LOUIS ’71 ’72 ’73 is a 20CD set featuring five shows from the Fox Theatre - December 9 and 10, 1971; October 17-19, 1972; and two from the Kiel Auditorium - October 29 and 30, 1973.

The seven shows in the collection span slightly less than two years, but they represent some of the best shows the Grateful Dead played during some of its peak tours. The music tells the story of a band evolving, changing from one sound to another seamlessly, precipitated – in large part – by significant personnel changes in the Dead’s lineup.

The two 1971 shows feature the original Grateful Dead lineup plus newcomer Keith Godchaux on piano. This version of the band would hold together for the next six months as the Dead embarked upon its Europe ’72 tour. By the time the Dead returned to the Fox Theatre less than a year later, they were without Pigpen, who’d played his final show with the Dead at the Hollywood Bowl on June 17, 1972. A year after the exceptional Fox 1972 shows, the Dead came back to St. Louis, but played the much larger Kiel Auditorium, touring behind the release of WAKE OF THE FLOOD, which came out just two weeks before.

All told, the band played 60 different songs during these shows highlighted by blazing romps through “Beat It On Down The Line” and “One More Saturday Night” and wistful takes on “Row Jimmy” and “Brokedown Palace” (whose lyrics give the collection its name). Meanwhile, the copious jamming ebbed and flowed like the mighty Mississippi River on multiple voyages through “The Other One” and “Dark Star.” Naturally, the band paid tribute to one of its favorite rock and rollers and one of St. Louis’ biggest stars by playing Chuck Berry songs at every show in the collection, including Pigpen galloping through “Run Rudolph Run.”

Each show has been restored and speed corrected using Plangent Processes with mastering by Jeffrey Norman. The collection comes in a slipcase with artwork by Liane Plant and features an 84-page hardbound book as well as other Dead surprises. To set the stage for the music, the liner notes provide several essays about the shows, including one by Sam Cutler, the band’s tour manager during that era, and another by Grateful Dead scholar Nicholas G. Meriwether, among others.

Due October 1st, LISTEN TO THE RIVER: ST. LOUIS ’71 ’72 ’73, is limited to 13,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively from Dead.net.

Hard to believe I'm the first comment

Guess I got lucky?

This is a box set to get on board with. I like the concept of "the river". Listened to 12/10/71 last night at store, very nice show, very nice recording off archive. "Official" release should be a-ok.

NOW WHERE IS DaP 39???? :-)

Plangent Processes ....

.... I am in! Dutifully ordered; grateful for the embarrassment of riches

2021 Box Set

Another big surprise from Dave. A St. Louis 71-73 combo, nobody had this on their radar screen. Just ordered mine. Never have seen a box released without a seaside chat. What the hell is going on? I am excited!

Yahoo!

You are the MAN, Dave!!!

And all the PTB.

:)))

Wonder what the box is gonna look like?

No pictures of the box!

OMG!!

So, everyone was right: it's a '71, fall '72, fall '73 box. The setlists really reflect the band's evolution, especially going from a 7-minute Playing in the Band to a 20+ minute version over the course of the year.

Beautiful the way this box will provide the pre-Euro '72 and post Euro-'72 band in all its glory.

$200? There's the sweet spot.

I believe this will take me a good deal of the w-w-w-winter to listen to, much less fully absorb.

Yet another multi-year geographic focus. Well played, Dave! Muchas gracias!

The record industry is killing me...

Is there no end to the releases this month!!!??!?!

We got the Joni, we got the Dylan, we got the dead, we got the lee morgan.

No way I can hide all this from my wife!! I can hide the mail when it comes,,, but,,,, that new book shelf to hold all this stuff I can't hide as easily!

LIstening to Birdsong from 10/17/72,,,, another one from the archive that is damn near perfect, official release should be even better!!!

At Last

Been waiting months for this announcement and it’s seven early 70’s shows which I love. Ordered immediately as I expect the 13000 will go quickly. Can’t wait for Autumn to listen to these shows. Now roll on DaP39!

Wonderful!....

....simply wonderful!

Got the Fox Box I Have Been Asking For....

....and then some. This is an instant classic.

Killer box set!

I just ordered 2, one for me and one for my brother. What a knockout!

Oooooooh....

....I like that cap a lot. SOLD!

Yippee

Of course I’ve ordered it!

OK, GD

You got my $$$ for a very appreciated release.

My first show anniversary was this past Sunday (7/18/82)...39 years later, the long, strange trip continues.

God Bless the Grateful Dead!!!

I Totally Understand Dennis!!

Dead Fox Box Ordered - check! Lee Morgan Lighthouse Box Ordered - check! Bob Dylan Bootleg Springtime In NY Ordered - check! Plus sundry Dave McMurray, Crosby, Drive-By Truckers, and Son Volt - check! Separation & Divorce - pending!

I just got notice the dog's license is up for renewal, so I can start by adding a zero on the end of that charge on the books...New cord for my tools, add a zero to the total....

Only one Cumberland?!....

....what a rip off. Cancelling my order (kidding).

wut

...this came as a surprise, however the pre-available sleuthing that was initiated yesterday has now paid off.

Thanks GD!

Sixtus

How fast will it sell out?

FAST!

Yes!

To Dave L - Thank You! Many of us (myself included) have been asking for the Fox shows in some capacity. It is clear you watch these boards. I know from the Seaside chat that these shows have been on your radar for a while. Still these shows have been heavily discussed on the boards in recent years so we are being given what we asked for. Adding the shows from 1973 is the icing on the cake.

Of course I ordered this box as soon as I saw the announcement. I can't wait to get it.

Right in the sweet spot

Count me in again. Great combo of shows here.

Thoughts

I was so excited to hear about this new boxed set. After learning about these shows, I’m even more excited. I’m glad that it spans three separate years in the Dead cannon, and the setlists look amazing. Even the shows without the Dark Stars, Other Ones, and other jam vehicles look interesting and captivating. Even more, I’m very grateful that some of this material is getting released separately as well. The 12/10/71 show is getting released on both CD and vinyl(!), and the Playin’>Drums>DS>Dew>Playin’ is getting released on vinyl too. Very smart decision. Overall, this is very exciting.

Three Comments

First, is it "Only One Cumberland?...." or, "It's Got a Cumberland!"

Second.. thank you GD/David Lemieux.. not many of you know this, but HendrixFreak has been both on a hunger strike and out on the ledge of 53rd floor of the Wells Fargo Building in Denver threatening to jump unless he gets a Fall '72 box. I am happy to report he is down off the ledge and finishing a greasy pulled pork sammy at the BBQ joint around the corner. Extra greasy...

Third.. Dennis, I am beginning to feel much sympathy for your wife.

All is good with the world again. As you were.

So I go downstairs.....

... after a morning of ordering more "stuff" from the cornucopia of musical choices being given us (or thrusted upon us), I head down to read my favorite monthly paper "The Funny Times".

There is the single panel joke. Guy at an AA meeting talking to the group.

My name is Roger. I own a plethora of music on original vinyl, eight-track, cassette and compact disc. Including most digital file formats. I was about to buy remastered rereleases on 180-gram vinyl when my wife said I needed help.

Bottom of panel labeled "Audiophiles Anonymous"

Funny, fate or cry for help?

I was thrilled when I saw…

I was thrilled when I saw this news. October 19, 1972 was the night I got on the bus. I thought the roof was gonna come off the place during the Casey Jones at the end of the first set. At that moment I knew I wanted more of this. I never missed a St. Louis show after that.

I've been waiting almost 50…

I've been waiting almost 50 years for these! These were amongst the first shows I attended (along with the Miami Rock Festival , a Kiel Auditorium show in late 1970, and Early 1971 shows at the Fox - THAT Fox show is when I got it; got on the Bus!). These shows were seminal! Thank you so much for releasing this set. I can HARDLY WAIT!

Listen to the River

Done! No problems ordering. I'm just glad I happened to be doing my morning emails when the announcement
popped up. Let the Games begin!

Well...

At least Doc gets more lovingly redone 71, Hendrix freak gets some fall 72, and congrats to the rest of y'all excited about this one....I'm getting disc 10 & 20 with big Dark Stars and fall 73. Sure I'll get hooked on the rest as is usually the case with releases I'm at first apprehensive about..
Curious how long this one will take to sell out?

Nice work

Thanks Dave and Co

oh my goodness

must be dreaming

A crowd pleaser

This box should be a real crowd pleaser. Thanks Dave and Dead.net -- everyone involved. Like the Pacific Northwest box, this regional, but, over the years releases are a nice touch. With that in mind, Dave please consider an MSG N.Y.C. September 1979 release. . .. Just sayin'. I predict it would be an instant sell out and another crowd pleaser.

I really can not wait to see the artwork, box, discs, booklet, inserts, etc..

Vinyl Me Please!

Great offerings! The "Run, Run, Rudolf" with Pigpen was on a GD Hour from the early/mid 90's. One of my required X-mas selections every year near the holiday. Cheers!

Finally able to complete my order!!

Dead.net didn't like my VPN so I turned it off while ordering.

I'm trying not to take this personally.

Yep. Ordered my copy too. …

Yep. Ordered my copy too. And i 2nd the request for an MSG box.

Good times...

Well, JimInMD has no idea that his mentioning Wells Fargo and BBQ sandwiches is clairvoyant, in that Saturday I had problems with my bank (WF) and went out for BBQ sandwiches.... All is well now. And topped off by this new box.

A rough patch has now passed and, if anyone needs a laugh, check out the avatar on the official announcement at the top of the comments page -- it's "Sri" or somebody likely not connected to DL and TPTB.

This sucker gonna sell out in a day or so, max.

What??

Only 6 versions of Beat It On Down The Line???
Count me out.

Ordered! Now trying to…

Ordered! Now trying to decide if I should grab the 12/10/71 5LP set too. Any idea if that one is Limited Edition too?

I Left St. Louis, City of Blues

Oh wow.......a true 70's Show-Me box set, and vinyl to boot.....sign me up! And I just scored tickets for Phish in Denver on Labor Day weekend!!! Not a bad days work.

Yes I'm still alive and lurking.

Be well & Be good dead folks!

KCJ

Edit: BBQ in St. Louis? Laughable...head west

Ordered!

Grabbed the hat as well!

Very excited

The acoustics of the Fox are incredible. I've seen Dylan and Neil Young solo there. I can't imagine seeing the Dead there. The Kiel Center (now called the Scott Trade Center) is awesome too, but the Fox is the best in St Louis.

I'm 2 hours SE of St Louis,…

I'm 2 hours SE of St Louis, so 90% of my concert experiences are from there. Love the Lou!

How do you order it, though?

I can't seem to get through to the pre-order page. It looks plenty good -especially the 1972 and 1973 shows, but I'm drawing blanks trying to order it at the moment.

looks great

DaveRock

Did you select the three ALAC files? They have to be selected even if you don’t intend to download them. The lower pre-order button should then work. If that isn’t the problem then I can’t help It seemed pretty seamless to me. Good Luck.

Edit certainly easier to order than submit the comment 3 attempts and I had to replace the word downlo(ads) with files

Daverock!

Try turning off your VPN. That worked for me.

Wait, what!?!

7 shows, from '71-'73, and there's only 1Wharf Rat?

Phew!

Stillwaters & Colin-thanks for your advice. It was not choosing to download the three tracks to listen to that was stopping me getting through. It does say its a required field, but as I am not going to listen to them I assumed I didn't need to fill in the field.
It would have been ironic if, after checking on here every day since Doomsday to see if a box had been announced, then seeing it had, and that it included shows from the 71-73 era - I found I didn't have the wherewithal to order it !

Now I know why I had a hankering for BBQ yesterday...

Had the Brisket Bomb along pork bellies and hush puppies yesterday for lunch - you guys and gals north of Boston, check out The Rusty Can in Byfield MA...

Looking at Compendium - a Feeling Groovy Jam, a Mind Left Body Jam, a couple of Darkstars, TOOs, Birdsongs plus a Cumberland and a Here Comes Sunshine, wow all I need is a Black Peter - woops check that box too.

Now the important part are the two vinyl ala carte's worthy???

Thankful Dead

I’m actually happy this box set is from the 70’s. I have enough Grateful Dead albums. Had it been a box set from the 60’s, 80’s or 90’s, it would have been harder to pass on.