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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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  • #11
    JeffSmith
    Joined:
    Maiden Voyage on the Wall of Sound

    Hey Oroborous, Crow, et al – Great discussion about the inner workings of the W.O.S. Lots more moving parts than some of us lightweights usually stop to think about. Thanks for jump-starting the conversation Oro.

  • #12
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    After several spins

    On various systems…

    There’s aaaaaaaalot going on here lol.
    I think it’s perhaps sonically one of the worst releases yet?
    Fortunately most won’t hear it.
    I’ll just touch on some of the more prevalent items.

    Since there was nobody really mixing the wall, and it was one of the first official wall shows, you can perhaps hear them adjusting volume etc more than usual.
    Best way to learn gear is to mess with it, and live is always different then elsewhere.
    And that’s why your hearing all that adjustment: because most of this system was controlled directly by the musicians. An interesting idea except for occasional volume wars lol.
    My first impression of this show was “sound check show” for the tour…
    They seem extra laid back and to be having fun, but definitely getting used to things, and I’m sure the wind effected that! Lots of opsies, and other weirdness too.
    It’s not bad, but I’d call it mediocre by high bar 74 standards.
    It’s interesting historically, checks the gap box, and there are some good moments, just perhaps not the most consistent outing.

    But the unfortunate thing I noticed a lot on first listen was distortion.
    All kinds…
    Sometimes guitars, which are less easy to detect, occasional bass when he pushes certain things, but most notable is the piano!
    Basically every time he really starts pounding from El Paso on…
    This isn’t necessarily an on common thing on these old tapes, but it just seems more noticeable on this one.
    Perhaps the gain settings on the tape mix board were up and combined by the direct instrument feeds, and I think KGs pre amp levels especially, and/or something to do with piano mics? I believe I read they had to basically invent something for that too, which maybe didn’t have set just right at this one!
    Maybe Kid was kinda busy with other things and didn’t get a good chance to properly monitor the tape, so as they continued to get louder and push direct levels etc, he didn’t have chance to readjust?
    All kinds of possibilities. Tape age, even with full treatment, an old oversaturated tape could be slightly over crispy.

    On less revealing systems it’s a tad harder to discern, but on the good system it reveals a whole lot of distortion, almost unlistenable at times…though you get used to it after initial surprise.

    I’ve tried it via my good server/DAC , which feeds to different zones, I’ve tried just the disc via an Oppo Blu-ray on one of those zones with different pre amp and no separate DAC etc, so it’s not the server, DAC or main pre amp, or second zone. Haven’t tried the car yet…
    I don’t think it will matter. Less noticeable perhaps, but once you hear it, it doesn’t go away lol Volume makes it more noticeable.
    That’s why I think it’s baked into the tape.
    I don’t think this is a defect.
    And I’m betting that 97% of folks out there won’t notice it for various reasons.

    I agree with Conekid, who I believe stated that though it’s not good enough for a Dave’s, and it would be kinda lame disappointment in a box, but for this “bonus” material it fills the gap, kinda goes with the theme, though 6/20 included more album songs and is a much better show ( Probably too long, and maybe saving it as the prime 74 shows are dwindling). I know he says he doesn’t have any lists, but come on, how could you net lol. It’s ok Dave, nobody will think poorly of ya lol ; )

    So what is left to ponder?
    Here’s my thoughts, of course your mmv!

    5/25 audio was subpar, but a good 74 show with nice jam sequence
    6/8 audio meh, mediocre show, nice playing sandwich!
    6/20 is more 74 caliber goodness!
    6/26 & 6/28 is it worth rehash if whole shows are usable in the vault?
    6/30 good but not RJ.
    7/21 better still? Except for Aud only?
    7/25 ahem, hear foot tapping…
    7/27 good show, big sequence light perhaps, but lil one outta US nice, and that Playin…oye!
    I need to go through the hacked up stuff, but not sure I’d prioritize any of this?
    9/14 and 9/20 are good, I’d call the 21st a step behind?
    Some of these suffer from jam light…
    That just leaves WL. Which lol, somehow I’ve not done the complete shows yet.
    So I’ll wait until I do so this fall…

  • #13
    nitecat
    Joined:
    FTMH Album

    I listened to the remastered MH for the second time last night. Very sweet sounding. The harmonies are lush. I was more aware of different instruments I'm hearing having been informed by the excellent series, Good Ol Grateful Podcast, which has been doing deep dives into each song on the album. I highly recommend the podcast.

    The Reno show recording takes a little time to get together. The second set is pretty hot especially the Truckin>TOO. I'm a little biased because Reno was my second official WOS show. I do remember the band taking a little time to get going.

  • #14
    Crow Told Me
    Joined:
    Who Here Hears Weir?

    I commented on the audio of this release some time ago after listening to the studio album and the first disc of the live set. The studio stuff sounded much, much better than my old lp, no surprise there. But I thought the live stuff pretty uneven, in terms of the audio quality. Couldn't hear Weir's guitar, vocals were up and down in the mix. Since I wrote that, others have responded to say they thought the audio was really good, so I guess it's a little subjective.

    Now, having heard the 3rd disc, I'd say the audio gets better in the second set, but it's still weird: the bass will suddenly get louder than everything else, or a vocal will, and then settle back to a more normal level.

    My theory is that this somehow has to do with the high winds that they were dealing with that day, and also maybe unfamiliarity with the WoS. Like maybe the wind would start blowing, and somebody couldn't hear something so they turned it up, and then the wind let up a little and they turned back down. Or something like that. Bottom line: I think the live audio is acceptable but not great.

    Now, do you need to buy this? Well, I'd say so. There are enough good songs on the studio album and the audio there is enough of an improvement to justify buying something you probably already have. I doubt if I will return very often to the Reno show, but it's still good to have. That's my take anyway, your results may vary.

  • #15
    JoeyMC
    Joined:
    My two cents.I didn't buy…

    My two cents.
    I didn't buy WOTF 50th or Europe 72' 50th, I was on the fence about this one. I have never heard (read) really anything good about this show but at least it came with a complete show. I'm not really impressed and probably didn't need to own it. While I'm sure this is an improvement, I feel like we can definitely tell there is something going on there that impacts both the sound and the playing. It makes perfect sense to me that no one ever spoke highly of this show, but i guess it bridges a gap or is historically important?

  • #16
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    Not the album…

    …the show.
    Listen closely to the piano whenever he turns up to solo…
    Give it a few songs…

  • #17
    DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Audio/OB

    Hey OB,

    I have one listen to the Reno show in my car. I was withholding comment until I listened on the home system. However, I will say the sound quality seems a little up and down.

    What are your thoughts?

    Oh, and I now own my fourth copy of Mars Hotel.

  • #18
    daverock
    Joined:
    It's a bit pricey!

    I keep meaning to buy it, but then opt for something else instead. I am sure it will get here eventually. It's not my favourite Dead album - but I have never heard it on cd, so I am interested to hear what this makeover sounds like.

  • #19
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    Crickets?

    Hmmm, kinda wondering why not many comments on this release?
    Especially about the audio…

  • #20
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    Off to the PO

    To pick up 5.0 🤞
    Once again UPS got er to D town muy rapidido only to have Dejoys angry lamesters not be bothered to scan it, so it could take four times as long to go a couple hundred miles within state.
    But hey, at least it’s here (supposedly) which is what really counts.
    I just feel it’s my patriotic duty to rail against the tyranny and corruption of incompetent dictators of any ilk lol 😝

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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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Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Tue, 04/02/2024 - 21:23

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I would love a Dark Star themed box set, with at least 15 shows. If not that....I wouldn't like anything more than '69 - '70. Except maybe those leftover multi-tracks from '71. I've been revisiting those on headphones lately - the audio is really as good as it gets.

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Submitted by uncle_tripel on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 06:08

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FANTASIES...? since y'all are sharing...how's about a box from JUST one day in GOGD history...like maybe...

MARCH 31st 1968 / 1973 / 1980 / 1985 / 1989 / 1991 / 1993 / 1994

lots of different tunes, covers all the band iterations & players except TC
awesome shows.. aims to keep the DH's smiling
hahaha!

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Submitted by proudfoot on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 07:30

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I like that

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 10:34

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looking back to see when the last five boxes dropped. Calculate in 90 days prior for an announcement... They're all over the map:

Giants Stadium, Sept. 27, 2029
June '76, March 20, 2020
Listen to River, Oct. 8, 2021
In and Out MSG, Sept. 23, 2022
Sunshine, June 30, 2023

We know Dave & Co. have got the selections made and this project is well underway. I'd put a nickel down on an announcement in June, around when Mars 50 drops. Well, I'm not hurrying through April and May but news of the tsunami coming out the Vault is always welcome.

Great ideas on the box. I'll leave you with one last plea: BRING ON THE GREASE!

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Submitted by rasta5ziggy on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 11:30

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I love Pride of Cucamonga, my favorite tune on Mars. That's the only song that I am aware of, as I search through my 68 yo brain cells, that was on a studio album that was never performed live. I could be wrong, and probably am. Anyone have any clues on why they never performed it live? Heck, they even did "Money, Money" three times!!! Really looking forward to the Bonus and Live stuff on this release.

The one thing we know for sure at this point is it will not be a Spring release. Looking more and more like a fall release.

I am sticking with my earlier prediction of October 74, in spite of the zero chance comments from Doc.
They have the multi track reels. Why not?

Unfortunately, the big zero change box is the Warfield/RCMH 1980 run. My dreams went down in flames on that one a few years ago per Dave's comments.

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Submitted by proudfoot on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 12:09

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I read that as I listen to a random you t u b e pop-up of 11/29/66

The Same Thing

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Submitted by daverock on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 13:10

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..Barbed Wire Whipping Party. Not on an official album, but it's here on my ancient "Mountains of the Moon" bootleg of Aoxomoxoa outtakes.

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 16:19

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Can't they pre-clear their customers to participate in the Forum?

I make a thoughtful post - as always... - and get Now Hay'd.

Dammit!

Edit: a post DP 50 drop pre-order announcement for a September box. If they can't do primal, let's hope they do a DP of 2-3 CDs of newly discovered 68 tapes.

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Submitted by proudfoot on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 19:00

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That hackneyed phrase needs to get drowned in the pond

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Submitted by daverock on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 02:59

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The more you think about your post, the more likely it is to get hey now'd. Talk bollocks, and your in. A bit like in real life. That's my posts I'm talking about, incidentally, not anyone else's.

If the next box is going to be from 1977, then the anticipation of what it could be might be more pleasurable than the actual announcement.

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Submitted by jonathan918@GD on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 04:34

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I'm plenty excited about what this years offering might be. As much as I love the "best years" I hope they branch out and bring something different, pretty much like they have been doing. Me thinks a lot of folks won't give a paricular era a chance because they've simply been told it's no good.

I hope the DaP series finally taps the Vince Welnick era soon, and folks give it a chance! I know i'm ready!!

rock on, gang!

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Submitted by uncle_tripel on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 05:27

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...Dave gives us the lowdown on planning boxsets in this interview
jambands.com/features/2020/01/07/ready-or-not-david-lemieux [copy and paste]

...so I gotta believe...it's complete, and now the assembly team are just testing which GLUE gun works best...couldn't resist, sorry

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 07:41

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Un-duh presh-uh...

I think the interest exhibited by the preorder suggests to "them" how many boxes to make. we got months to go. Still, it's fun kicking the hornets nest...

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Submitted by Oroborous on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 07:52

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See, Daverocks right, nonsense

Edit: their testing the same glue that was on George’s wedding invatations

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Submitted by Oroborous on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 08:05

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Over a half hour to get that sentence about glue in, FFS!
Fix this nonsense

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 08:09

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Thanks Uncle Tripel!

Edit: Hey Now'd!!

Edit testing: "Nonsense"

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 08:13

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Bollocks! testing...

Testing: Double Bollocks!

Edit: proof that Daverock is correct.

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Submitted by Forensicdoceleven on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 08:49

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Avalon + Ark = Box

Got Hey Now'ed on my wonderfully written post, so you get this instead.........

Can I even say Rock On any more?

Doc
To appreciate nonsense requires a serious interest in life.......

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Submitted by Oroborous on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 10:13

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On the math
Add 4/13&15 (tapes permitting) as their as good or better, and I’ll give ya an A
Of course an apple wouldn’t hurt ; )

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Submitted by rasta5ziggy on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 13:37

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Just an FYI........Heritage Auctions is auctioning off lots of vintage posters starting 04/11...........Skull & Roses poster is up to $41K................check it out.........Acid Test advertisements/posters also available............I know most of us on this site have money to burn, and not just in a bowl, so enjoy the browsing............lots of cool, expensive stuff.

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Submitted by dmcvt on Thu, 04/04/2024 - 14:05

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just sayin', Nome Sane?

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Submitted by uncle_tripel on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 05:38

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...is a Hey now word!
w
i
n
t
e
r
l
a
n
d

hahaha
give me a fah king break

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 06:27

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Test me, test me....

Edit: then you add a real message through the edit function.

Edit II: I have nothing to say. Just ****ing around!

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Submitted by daverock on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 14:41

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My preference for 1969 shows are the ones played during the first 6 months. Before they started branching out into a more country based direction. It always feels as though that style was better served a few years later on - understandably, as they got better at it - to my ears - with experience.

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Submitted by nitecat on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 16:01

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Thanks to whoever mentioned the interview with Dave from a few years ago when he was excited about the Giants Stadium box. I found it surprising that he revealed the Dead had recorded in multi track three tours over the 89- 90 period. I know the Spring 1990 boxes covered that tour, but what is left unreleased?

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Submitted by proudfoot on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 22:16

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Wanted to go A LOT

but wife's cousin got married that weekend in Missoula MT

"Yes, dear"

I did get a trip to glacier national park out of the deal

Cest la vie

The marriage didn't last, btw

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Submitted by TN John on Sat, 04/06/2024 - 08:07

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October '89 needs more attention.
5 show run at Meadowlands after the Warlocks shows.
3 show run at The Spectrum.
2 shows at Charlotte Coliseum.
And, 1 unreleased show from Miami Arena. The other one was in the 30 Trips box.
Peace

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Submitted by bigbrownie on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 14:15

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

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 16:05

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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

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Submitted by Pigpen Lives on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 16:46

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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.

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Submitted by icecrmcnkd on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 17:53

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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.

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Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 19:56

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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.

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Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 20:11

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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

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Submitted by daverock on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 02:39

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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.

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Submitted by uncle_tripel on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 04:31

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...jiminmd, yup takin' it to the house! rhino, owned by wmg, large us corporation; new ceo makes mark with successive year layoffs, yup public awareness profits up, . .impacting tech? wmg = warner music group . . can you squeeze some more...
it's only bucks, you don't need no jack
so won't you please relax and lay way back

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