FROM THE MARS HOTEL (50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION) features remastered audio by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer David Glaser, with Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Produced for release by Grateful Dead Legacy Manager and Audio Archivist, David Lemieux, the DELUXE EDITION also includes demos of “China Doll” and “Wave That Flag” – the song that became “U.S. Blues” – as well as a previously unreleased live performance of the Grateful Dead at University of Nevada-Reno on 5/12/1974. As the band filled an outdoor football stadium with epic highs like huge “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider,” Mars Hotel cuts including “U.S. Blues” and classics such as “Brown-Eyed Women,” “Tennessee Jed,” “Mississippi Half-Step,” “Truckin',” “Sugar Magnolia,” a massive wind storm was no match for the Wall of Sound. Designed to improve the listening and performance experience at what were becoming larger gigs and longer, more dynamic and varied sets, the Wall of Sound required 21 stage hands, and underlined the resounding effect the Grateful Dead were having on American audiences and culture at the time, even as the entire operation remained homespun and humble.
Recorded in San Francisco’s Coast Recorders studio, FROM THE MARS HOTEL finds Keith Godchaux particularly shining across a variety of keys, from the “China Doll” harpsichord to the pounding piano on Bob Weir’s “Money Money,” to the churchy organ that elevates “Ship Of Fools.” Lyricist Robert Hunter packs “U.S. Blues” with a barrage of imagery, pop-culture references and sardonic asides – as Canadian author Ray Robertson writes in the 50th Anniversary Edition’s liner notes, it “carries an undeniable whiff of late-capitalism ennui…it’s the most fun you’ll ever have dancing to the end of the American Empire.” Jerry Garcia’s jaunty lead guitar drives bouncing melodies across the LP, while guests include Ned Lagin’s unnerving synth effects on “Unbroken Chain,” Clover member John McFee’s country-rock pedal steel on “Pride Of Cucamonga,” and more.
I'll take it...
Brief personal connection: September 1974, hitchhike to Mt. Tamalpais after accompanying my friend to the SF airport after hitchhiking across the country in search of ... thrills, I guess, at age 16. Turned 17 on the road. Camped on Mt. Tam overnight near the "No Camping" sign. Sat cross-legged watching the waves of the Pacific below, which appeared like grooves on a vinyl record. Had a couple beers with me. Wished I had some pot. Looked between my legs and found numerous half-burned joints, still toke-able. Very pleased. The next day went to the seedy part of San Fran to sell my watch to get a few dollars for food and begin hitchhiking home, via Denver. Walk right past the Mars Hotel. Two months earlier the album had been released and we were in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and bought it, so I knew what the "hotel" looked like. Seedy enough that I (on a mission) didn't enter it. Then it was torn down. Ah, being young and stupid on the road, 50 years ago this summer.
This release looks wonderful. More '74!
Cheers, HF
FTMH + RENO '74
Just got the e-announcement from dead dot net. . . Onethebus: The guy on Hoffman was right. Looks like the first road show with the Wall of Sound has only two songs from Mars Hotel. Pretty nice show tho (and duly ordered w/ the green FTMH LP).
I think I finally figured out the Great and Powerful Hey Now: You have to humbly present the Wicked Witch of the West's broomstick on bended knee first. Onward.
Happy Birthday Wall of Sound
More '74 I say.
Hey Now Don't You Come Around Here, Anymore
Per the usual, I have no idea!
1st show, maybe if one gets up a bit foggy (a little of this, a little of that last night, with Telecaster) and doesn't think -- my forte -- and just type a story it slides through, courtesy of The Grease??
Dunno. It worked. HF
You have to present the...
Wicked Witch of the West's sheet of brown acid
While playing hackysack
A round of applause for 8/13/75
I always had mixed feelings about the show
These days it sounds totally awesome
Expected..
But welcomed. I have a rather rough recording of 5/12/74 so this is definitely shelf worthy.
Reno promised land
Gonna guess there were problems with levels or the mix. edit/update - yep, I realized I have a copy of this show. The Promised Land was not worth keeping.
cd timings
Strange that Bear Family cds can stretch up to 87 minutes in length, and still sound great. Not that I'm bothered about the exclusion of Promised Land. It's my favourite of their Chuck covers, but I'm quite happy with however many versions I already have.
This looks like a great release.
So excited!
I listened to my vinyl copy of the album last night in anticipation of the 50th anniversary! So excited for the re-release!
Washoe Zephyr
A good, but not grate show.
Glad to see it released, had it on cassette years ago and have upgraded the digital version a couple of times. I expect the Normanized version to sound even better.
I heard or read before that because of the Wall of Sound the music could be heard in Sparks.
People complained…..
If you didn’t know the saying, “Reno is so close to hell you can see Sparks”
87 min CDs
Wait this is a thing? I didn't know that!
Nevermind, I went and looked this up.
Interesting, I also see reference to "overburning", something else I didn't know you could do. Darn! I wish I'd known this stuff earlier... I think of all of the CD-Rs I've burned that are missing one track because the total time would come to 80 : 31 or whatever... I had no idea one could go past that fabled 80 min mark
Overburn 2
I have burnt 100s of cds with overburn. I was able to fit 82 minutes and 30 seconds which frequently came in handy when burning 2 slightly more than 40 minute lps. In addition with the very nonredbook 900mg discs I could put just over 92 minutes. For example the 2 cd boot of Neil’s complete Austin City Limits. Unfortunately that computer died last year after 20 years! Of heavy service and many 1000s of discs
That's it for the...preorder
Well hot damn! I was just about to place my order and all of a sudden it's sold out. Oh well. Maybe those of us who waited a tad too long will get lucky and they'll find some more in stock. One can hope.
Reno Promised Land
Check out the Charlie Miller soundboard on the archive and you will find out why Promised Land was cut.
Even if it wasn't a spacing issue, the mix on that song is horrible compared to the rest of the show.
Peace
Instrumental Versions of these tunes
I used to have a cassette (maybe still do somewhere) with instrumental versions of many of the tunes on Mars Hotel, including a great Unbroken Chain and a sublime take on Pride of Cucamonga, pre-pedal steel with Jerry bending notes where the pedal steel licks would eventually go. Also, a beautiful Ship of Fools.
I write all this because I’m surprised these alternate studio takes haven’t seen official release. They would make great bonus material and be well loved.
I see....
....they have one of those zoetrope vinyl versions. Just sayin'.
I also see....that it shows the CD out of stock as well. And I hadn't ordered it yet. Oof. Sometimes life gets in the way or laziness rears it's head.
Then again. It's dead.net. We shall see.
Kenco
Don't worry Kenco. These are not limited. Not sure why they are currently unavailable, but they will be back. I have seen this happen before. You can always grab a copy on Amazon if they end up actually being sold out here.
This will be my fourth Mars Hotel CD purchase since the 80s. Looking forward to the Nevada show.
Preorder out of stock
Interesting how this now can't be preordered. No mention of being limited edition.
Yet the actual limited to 3000 units edition vinyl is actually still available.
Also notice the limited poster is still available.
Spot floss raised UV....
....this poster has it.
I have no idea what the hell it is but it sounds fancy. A hundred bucks worth of fancy I guess.
Then again, I Pre-ordered a UV type record of DSOTM, so I should probably be quiet and pick up my china doll.
Out of stock
It was never in stock.
Rhino screwed up another rollout.
It will be back.
Didn’t want to risk it so I…
Didn’t want to risk it so I ended up ordering one from Jeff Bezos in case this was really sold out here (although yeah that would be surprising considering this isn’t even a limited release as others mentioned). No way am I passing up another 74 show! I’m still mad at myself for getting rid of my old Dick’s Picks 7 several years ago since I didn’t truly listen to it much. That was before realizing how great that year and general timeframe 72-74) is.
Joined: April 29, 2016 * …
Joined:
April 29, 2016
* ‘Mars Hotel’ 50th Anniversary
…..’oh Boy’ I’m so excited for this celebration and release! One of my favorite albums from the Grateful Dead! The unreleased show included is ‘Primo’! Another 1974 performance is golden! The audio quality is ‘superb & truly high quality mastering. A “home run” IMHO! Have a grateful day everyone & peace be witch you all my brothers and sisters! Long live the Grateful Dead! Let the music fill the air everywhere! I’m so excited for this release.
🙏❤️💀🌹
Instrumental Mars Hotel Rehearsals
Hey SearchLight: is this maybe what you remember having a cassette of?:
archive dot org/details/gd74-12-xx.mars-hotel.12468.sbeok.shnf
After three full-tilt tracks, the rest is instrumental.
(The 3-CD remaster is back on sale.)
5/12/74 University Of Nevada in Reno, NV
Set 1:
Promised Land, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, Brown-Eyed Women, Beat It On Down The Line, China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider.
Set 2:
El Paso, U.S. Blues, Greatest Story Ever Told, It Must Have Been The Roses, Me And Bobby McGee, Deal, Around And Around, Mississippi Half-Step.
Set 3:
Truckin'> Nobody's Fault But Mine Jam> The Other One> Mind Left Body Jam> Row Jimmy, Big River, Ship Of Fools.
Encore:
Sugar Magnolia
This list is from "the Setlist Program" so I really can't be 100% accurate here. I have never streamed this show I only had it on a 90-minute tape of 5/12/74. The complete show may not exist in the Vault. I believe this is their 1000th show, more or less, if you include the Magoo's Pizza Parlor gigs.
And available elsewhere
It also now available on Amazon, which is a no brainer for me, since shipping charges are zero, and one day delivery.
Don't lend your hand to raise no flag
Atop no ship of fools
You are the music while the music lasts.....
Hey rockers!!!
Ordered it, no problem. Not a huge fan of Mars Hotel, but looking forward to Reno.........
Speaking of Nevada, it's March 29. Time to crank up the Ice Palace!!!!
Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.....
Rock on,
Doc
Music fathoms the sky.....
Port Chester 71
Proudfoot mentions SBDs, I just happened to be wondering the other day about multi-tracks. Three from the Vault is a multi-track recording correct? So are the Workingman's Dead and American Beauty bonus shows also multitracks? Did they record the entire run like that?
I thought about getting an FM bootleg of the 20th but I have not....
Ah boards of the 1970 shows, I see...