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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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  • grtfljello
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    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.

  • icecrmcnkd
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    Out of stock

    It was never in stock.
    Rhino screwed up another rollout.
    It will be back.

  • Vguy72
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    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.

  • SPACEBROTHER
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    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.

  • DeadVikes
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    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.

  • kenco
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    How so?!

    Just checked my emails (usually once or twice a day) and the CD offer is already sold out!? WOW. Day One, really? WTF??? Release more please.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    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.

  • searchlightcasting
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    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.

  • TN John
    Joined:
    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

  • grtfljello
    Joined:
    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.

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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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