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    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.

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  • daverock
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    1974

    It's a year where each and every show I have heard has held some interest. Even the ones that don't qualify as top banana. I have never heard 5/12/74 before - so I am looking forward to this release.

  • JimInMD
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    QED

    For example, how did I get that last post through when the 14 before that were actually about the GD got snuffed.

    As you were

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Interesting

    Some of the more interesting posts on this thread are the deceptively clever criticisms regarding the posts that would not through to the heycow police

    yes, I'm pretty sure even
    he y n o w
    is a restricted word, or so it appears.

    The good people here trying to honestly comment on the music, culture, stories, shows etc. but were denied and ended up whimsically complaining about the system that snuffed their posts into oblivion. All that remains are comically interesting posts regarding the stupid rhino censorship system they probably spent as much money on as it would be to produce CDs that actually played without skipping, having glue smears, not playing at all after ten years etc. Ok rant over.

    So my suggestion to senor pinkus et al, take the money spent on your wordsmith gestapo crack web design team and us it to make better cds that play well.

    (how'd I do?)

    btw, Reno was ok, agree 74 established a high bar but even the sleepers sound better than the average bear. Even Roanake, Palis des Sports and some of the others deserve some listening love.

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    5-12-74 subpar

    74 has a high bar.

    What’s being released from 5-12-74 fits on 2 CD’s, so it works for a 3-CD release. I had the show on cassette in the late 90’s, and have had several digital versions since. Got an upgrade last year. This release should be the best sounding version and is a good choice for the bonus discs because it doesn’t qualify to be a DaP or in a Box. But still needs to be released.

  • Pigpen Lives
    Joined:
    Odd Selection

    I've been listening to every show from 1974 this month. So far Reno 5/12 and Munich 9/14 are the only sub-par performances of the year. The band was a bit rusty after a long time off. No idea what went into the decision to select this date. Maybe no better alternatives for the 50th anniversary release.

  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    Proudfoot is 'dead on'

    Why bother with our outrageously witty banter if we get stymied by HN?

    It's too bad, because many of us met up at shows, traded music, and hyped the releases amongst ourselves. That's got to be good for business. I think a clumsy coder must be doing 'security' for the site and can't write code to block fraudsters without turning everyone else away. HF

  • bigbrownie
    Joined:
    Eclipse in Goleta, CA

    Caught our 50% worth in a parking lot to the tune of Estimated>Eyes>Drums>Space>NFA from Paris 10/17/81.

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    This site

    Becoming like a ghost town

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    4/7/71

    Hard to Handle

    Nice

    This is a show of which I would love to hear a complete version

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Seeing things again for the first time

    :)))

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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.

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In reply to by JoeyMC

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Joey,

Yes, the full run was recorded in Multi Track.

So maybe at some point in the future, they will release the other shows. It is a great run.

I rank the Capitol run
2/19/71
2/21/71
2/18/71
2/24/71
2/20/71
2/23/71

Non are bad, all good, some great, but hey, that’s just me ; )
Multis are the shitlze! How bout fall 89!

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ForensicDoc magically appears! Love the dead-i-cation...

Count me in for the remaining Feb '71 Capitol shows. The thing is, every show has highlights and ordinary passages; isn't that why we take all the shows we can get??

Attended the Capitol in early '74 for a double bill of Roy Buchanan and Boz Scaggs, who had Les Dudek on slide for Loan Me a Dime. After both groups played two sets they jammed out and I only remember Roy and Les shaking the dirt from the ceiling. Dammit, that was 50 years ago NOW!

And yet, with a few more '71 shows, I might just cheat the devil for a few more years...

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Presuming this will be available for download after the official release date? Can't Wait! Scarlet & Phil's songs in particular.

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It's a hundred.
But it does glow.
A bargain!
Cheers

I like the tee but it's $45

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41 years ago today I was up in S.F. at the Warfield Theatre for a fun night with the Grateful Dead. I saw the Dead play allot of shows at the Warfield, this would be the last one. I saw Garcia play lots of shows after this one, but this was the last Dead show.

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Mornin', rockers!!!

When it comes to Port Chester, I favor the 20th and 21st. Exceptionally well played shows. Listen close, sometimes the strength is in the small songs..........

The 18th and 19th are historic, excellent shows that do get a lot of play around here. The 19th may be a bit stronger and more consistent, to me the second set intensity of the 18th drops a lot compared to the first set.

The 23rd is rough around the edges but powerful and very crunchy. Especially the second set.

So maybe the 24th is the "lesser" of the six shows, but that's on a relative scale. It does include a healthy dose of greasy Pigpen...........

This is why there's different flavors of ice cream. While clearly double dark chocolate peanut butter cup is the best, mysteriously some still prefer pistachio...

Rock on,

Doc
Yes, Manhattan Center would make a nice "mini-box", so bring it on!!!

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Is that not also a form of deception?

Next, we can discuss/debate what is the best April 1971 Fillmore East show. Allow me to pontificate..............

4/28: Supernova, desert island, classic show of the first rank. Best ever, blazing white heat Hard To Handle, super solid versions of Morning Dew, El Paso, Cumberland Blues, The Rub, and The Other One. Clearly the best of the run.....

4/26: Funky good old Grateful Dead. Slunky Hard To Handle, nice Star, jammiest Good Lovin' ever. Oh, did I forget Duane Allman??????

4/29: Can a show be underrated and overrated at the same time? OK, Alligator, I get it.........

4/25: Powerful. Especially the fierce Hard To Handle, where Garcia and Lesh battle it out, leaving the rest of the band in the dust.......

4/27: Well, something has to be ranked "last", even though this is a solid show. Nearly perfect first set, but I'm not sure the Beach Boys and the Lovelight have aged so well.

How much has to be explored and discarded before reaching the naked flesh of feeling????

Rock on,

Doc
Music is the expression of the movement of the waters, the play of curves described by changing breezes.....

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In reply to by proudfoot

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Someone in Relix years ago referred to April '71 as Acid Month

8 GD shows in New York

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Agree with you on the 21st of February at Port Chester. Of the three shows that have been released, this is my favorite, and I don't say that lightly; there are a lot of outstanding performances on Three From the Vault and opening night. And it's always nice to have a great sounding multitrack and the sound of that Rick Turner Peanut guitar Jerry used for Port Chester through the April gigs in NY.

I have my pre-order in for Mars Hotel. Looking forward to the live 1974 show. I haven't heard this show before, so I'm hoping it's a good one compared to the 7/25 Chicago show with the final Dark Star from that year to yet be released.

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You got me going on a Hard To Handle binge this AM. What fun! Really hard to pick a best between 4-25,26,28 and that good ole' 8-6-71where apparently, according to Phil, that crowd reaction was from Pig "doing a little dance or something".
Cheers

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In reply to by 1stshow70878

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And I’ll raise ya a April 69!
Hell, personally, I’d take April 78 over 71,
but that’s just me ; )

Edit: why I prefer 2/19/71 over the others, Smokestack O Lightning!
I double dog dare ya to find a better one in 71! ; )

I enjoy Port Chester '71 as one show, played over 7 nights.

I just can't rank them. Except 2/24/71. That one is the caboose of the train.

Dave's 35 is totally awesome

If you haven't heard 5/12/74 before, you are in for a real good time, Keithfan

That's a strange description of April 1971. Great shows for sure, but for the most part they don't sound that psychedelic to me. Maybe if you took some they would - but then so would everything else.

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In reply to by daverock

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Pontificate...ponTIficate - what a great word!!! Haven't heard that one in ages. Thanks, Doc.
BTW, TTB 3/13/24, Richmond, is somethin' else. Europe '72, for me, starts next Friday. SYF flag'll be wavin' wide and high!

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There were only 5 Smokestacks in 1971:

1/21/71 Unusual early first set placement
2/19/71 Late first set
12/2/71 Mid-to-late first set
12/4/71 Late first set
12/7/71 Mid second set
The 19th is probably the best of the bunch.................

The first Smokestack we ever heard was the one on Bear's Choice. I think that--along with that Hard To Handle----warped my brain. But of course, in a good way.....

We saw the return of the Smokestack in Worcester in 1984, that was a big treat for us.....

Rock on,

Doc
Sorry got Hey Now'ed

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FWIW, back in the day we almost always refered to April 1971 as "acid month". Seemed like second nature to us, especially since the town where we lived was saturated with LSD at that time....................

If you've never seen an elephant ski, you've never been on acid......

Rock on, and pass the 25!

Doc
I was raised a Christian and was a stone-faced acid head......

Mornin', rockers!!!

There actually is at least a partial SBD of that 1/21/71 show in the vault, about 46 minutes long, beginning of the show into Hard To Handle. Does include the Smokestack LIghtning lol. Decent quality and absolutely glad to have it. Was played on Jam Of The Week last October......

We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.......

Rock on rockers!!

Doc
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.

I liked that description by Jerry of "Skull and Roses " as presenting the band as" a regular shoot -em-up saloon band". That's how Spring 1971 sounds to me, and always has. That's just going off the recordings, though - maybe I would hear it differently if I had actually been there.

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In reply to by daverock

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On this Easter Sunday, I will follow Pigpen's advice and say

H O W D Y

name that show and W I N

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Test me, test me, why don't you H-N me?

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Hey HF!!!

I can't Hey Now you, so instead I will Now Hey you.

Now hey!!

Rock on & hope all is well,

Doc
I would fain grow old learning many things......
P.S. Hey everybody, go to traders den to fill in your 1971 gaps. You'll see why.......

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What are the odds this year's box is the five nights from Oct 74?

HF

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The odds that October 74 will be the box set this year are zero.

It will be a 1970, from the banana boxes.

Every time you go to the doctor and get a good report, the odds keep staking more in your favour.....

Rock on,

Doc
Even if we remember the past, odds are good we'll still repeat it.....

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In reply to by proudfoot

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'70

Alpine '89

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In reply to by grtfljello

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Hopefully it will be an expansive set featuring multiple shows from the 1960's. A good title might be "Never Mind The Bollocks".
Failing that, a 1970 box would be most welcome too.

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I'd vote with Daverock for a 1966-70 box titled "The First Five." Could it get to Rhino's sweet spot of ~12-17 discs? Two from 66, two from 67, three from 68, six from 69, four from 70. I'd pounce. But how many others would?

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Hey rockers!!

Personally, I would prefer a box set containing the complete Fillmore West runs of February and April 1970. But hey, that's just me..................

We like our individuality, we like the mysteriousness of us, the essentialism of us, and it can be alarming to see the biological gears turning underneath......

Rock on,

Doc
We all want to be normal, but it's relative to individuality. My normal is not your normal.....

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What I would like, would be something from 1968, 1969, or 1970, or a combination of the 3 years. What I think we will get will be something from 1976, 1977, or 1978 and that will be cool too.

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