• https://www.dead.net/features/news/europe-72-complete-recordings-all-music-edition
    Europe '72: The Complete Recordings - All The Music Edition

    Europe '72:
    The Complete Recordings -
    All The Music Edition

    Our Europe '72 boxed set is now officially sold out, with all 7,200 boxes now gone! We can't thank you enough for your support, for having faith in the project and taking the plunge to purchase this unprecedented release. Despite the fact that it's going to be a bit of a wait before it arrives on your door step, we are sure you'll be blown away with the results.

    We are now offering the All-The-Music edition of Europe '72, which includes all of the music recorded on the tour, with each show in its own individual package, complete with its own liner notes by Dead scholars such as David Gans, Blair Jackson, Steve Silberman, Gary Lambert and others, as well as by attendees of some of the shows. You'll get 73 CDs and over 70 hours of prime Grateful Dead.

    IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC...

    Because you dared dream this might happen one day… Because you went down to the Gypsy Woman and offered up your first-born to try to make it happen… Because there are enough passionate Dead Heads at Rhino/GD who thought it might be cool for this to happen… It’s happening! Coming in September is a gargantuan EUROPE ’72 MEGA-BOX SET containing ALL 22 SHOWS of what is arguably the greatest tour the Grateful Dead ever played, on a whopping and clearly cosmic 73 DISCS (over 70 hours of music!). Bet you didn’t see that comin’!

    Really, at this point we probably don’t need to lay on too much hype about how wonderful the music is: Chances are, if you’re even considering buying a copy of this enormous box, you already know how amazing the Dead’s tour of Europe in April and May of 1972 was. To review briefly, though, the Dead’s first tour outside of North America took them to all sorts of historic and unusual venues in England, Denmark, West Germany, France, Holland and even tiny Luxembourg. Many members of the Dead “family” came along on what was really an extended working vacation that was designed to both expose the Dead to new audiences and also reward the band for their unlikely conquest of America during the preceding two years. As a hedge against the costs of the nearly two-month trip, the Dead’s label, Warner Bros., paid for the band to lug around a 16-track recorder to capture the entire tour… and we’re glad they did!

    This was a band at the top of its game, still ascending in the wake of three straight hit albums — Workingman’s Dead, American Beauty and the live Grateful Dead (“Skull & Roses”). It had been a year since the lineup had gone to its single-drummer configuration, six months since Keith Godchaux had been broken in as the group’s exceptional pianist, and this marked the first tour to feature Donna Godchaux as a member of the touring band. There was a ton on new, unreleased material that came into the repertoire in the fall of ’71 (after “Skull & Roses” was out) and during the spring of ’72, including “Tennessee Jed,” “Jack Straw,” “Mexicali Blues,” “He’s Gone,” “Comes A Time,” “Ramble on Rose,” “One More Saturday Night,” “Black-Throated Wind,” “Looks Like Rain” and Pigpen’s “Chinatown Shuffle,” “The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)” and “Mr. Charlie.” (Sadly, this was Pigpen’s final tour.) All those future classics were interspersed with songs from the aforementioned “hit” albums—such as “Uncle John’s Band,” “Brokedown Palace,” “Cumberland Blues,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Bertha,” “Not Fade Away,” et al — and then were topped off by loads of big jamming numbers — the Europe ’72 tour produced spectacular versions of “Dark Star,” “The Other One” “Playing in the Band,” “Truckin’,” “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider,” “Good Lovin’,” “Lovelight” and even the early Pig chestnut “Caution.” And that’s leaving out a truckload of other tunes, too! There wasn’t a clunker show in the bunch, and many are acknowledged today as classics. No doubt you already have some favorites.

    Through the years, there have been a few releases of material from the Europe tour—starting with the 3-album Europe ’72 which knocked our socks off in the fall of that year, and followed many years later by material from a pair of German shows and the fantastic 4-CD Stepping Out, culled from the group’s eight shows in England. Incredibly, though, only one full show from the tour has come out previously: the excellent 4/24 concert in Dusseldorf, Germany, released as Rockin’ the Rhein in 2004.

    Until now, that is. Jeffrey Norman, who has been the primary mixer of Dead archival multi-track material for the past 15 years (Fillmore West ’69, Ladies and Gentlemen…, Rockin’ the Rhein, Nightfall of Diamonds, etc.) has spent many months toiling over the 16-track masters from the tour, and will continue working on the mixes through the Winter and Spring, employing the high-tech Plangent Processes transfer and restoration tools, trying to get every show to sound “just exactly perfect” (as Bob Weir says) for this release. You might think you’ve heard that intense “Dark Star” > “Sugar Mag” > “Caution” from Copenhagen, but I guarantee you’ve never heard it sound this alive! Mastering to HDCD specs is two-time Grammy-winning engineer David Glasser of Airshow Mastering. Needless to say, all the songs that turned up on previous Europe compilations will be appear in their proper show contexts, and in the case of songs from the Europe ’72 album, without overdubs that were added later (where possible).

    So dig deep, raid the penny jar, take a weekend job at Jack-in-the-Box, beg your kindly ol’ grandma for some of your inheritance early… Yes, it’s an extravagance, but jeez, you (or your loved one) deserve it! This is way cool.

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    Decola
    13 years 3 months ago
    iTunes Scans
    I'm scanning the covers as I'm ripping the discs. The scans I've done so far are on the Amazon site under the Europe '72 2 disc set. The box set is not on Amazon so I had to post the scans under the Europe '72 2 disc set. http://www.amazon.com/Europe-72-Grateful-Dead/dp/B00007LTIN/ref=cm_cmu_…
  • zepthompson
    13 years 3 months ago
    personalized copies have a label
    that includes #### of 7200 per pictures that I have seen not sure if the non-personalized sets are different
  • Default Avatar
    Mind Bender
    13 years 3 months ago
    Complete Recordings
    Can anyone tell me where the limited number is supposed to be?
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Europe '72:
The Complete Recordings -
All The Music Edition

Our Europe '72 boxed set is now officially sold out, with all 7,200 boxes now gone! We can't thank you enough for your support, for having faith in the project and taking the plunge to purchase this unprecedented release. Despite the fact that it's going to be a bit of a wait before it arrives on your door step, we are sure you'll be blown away with the results.

We are now offering the All-The-Music edition of Europe '72, which includes all of the music recorded on the tour, with each show in its own individual package, complete with its own liner notes by Dead scholars such as David Gans, Blair Jackson, Steve Silberman, Gary Lambert and others, as well as by attendees of some of the shows. You'll get 73 CDs and over 70 hours of prime Grateful Dead.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC...

Because you dared dream this might happen one day… Because you went down to the Gypsy Woman and offered up your first-born to try to make it happen… Because there are enough passionate Dead Heads at Rhino/GD who thought it might be cool for this to happen… It’s happening! Coming in September is a gargantuan EUROPE ’72 MEGA-BOX SET containing ALL 22 SHOWS of what is arguably the greatest tour the Grateful Dead ever played, on a whopping and clearly cosmic 73 DISCS (over 70 hours of music!). Bet you didn’t see that comin’!

Really, at this point we probably don’t need to lay on too much hype about how wonderful the music is: Chances are, if you’re even considering buying a copy of this enormous box, you already know how amazing the Dead’s tour of Europe in April and May of 1972 was. To review briefly, though, the Dead’s first tour outside of North America took them to all sorts of historic and unusual venues in England, Denmark, West Germany, France, Holland and even tiny Luxembourg. Many members of the Dead “family” came along on what was really an extended working vacation that was designed to both expose the Dead to new audiences and also reward the band for their unlikely conquest of America during the preceding two years. As a hedge against the costs of the nearly two-month trip, the Dead’s label, Warner Bros., paid for the band to lug around a 16-track recorder to capture the entire tour… and we’re glad they did!

This was a band at the top of its game, still ascending in the wake of three straight hit albums — Workingman’s Dead, American Beauty and the live Grateful Dead (“Skull & Roses”). It had been a year since the lineup had gone to its single-drummer configuration, six months since Keith Godchaux had been broken in as the group’s exceptional pianist, and this marked the first tour to feature Donna Godchaux as a member of the touring band. There was a ton on new, unreleased material that came into the repertoire in the fall of ’71 (after “Skull & Roses” was out) and during the spring of ’72, including “Tennessee Jed,” “Jack Straw,” “Mexicali Blues,” “He’s Gone,” “Comes A Time,” “Ramble on Rose,” “One More Saturday Night,” “Black-Throated Wind,” “Looks Like Rain” and Pigpen’s “Chinatown Shuffle,” “The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)” and “Mr. Charlie.” (Sadly, this was Pigpen’s final tour.) All those future classics were interspersed with songs from the aforementioned “hit” albums—such as “Uncle John’s Band,” “Brokedown Palace,” “Cumberland Blues,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Bertha,” “Not Fade Away,” et al — and then were topped off by loads of big jamming numbers — the Europe ’72 tour produced spectacular versions of “Dark Star,” “The Other One” “Playing in the Band,” “Truckin’,” “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider,” “Good Lovin’,” “Lovelight” and even the early Pig chestnut “Caution.” And that’s leaving out a truckload of other tunes, too! There wasn’t a clunker show in the bunch, and many are acknowledged today as classics. No doubt you already have some favorites.

Through the years, there have been a few releases of material from the Europe tour—starting with the 3-album Europe ’72 which knocked our socks off in the fall of that year, and followed many years later by material from a pair of German shows and the fantastic 4-CD Stepping Out, culled from the group’s eight shows in England. Incredibly, though, only one full show from the tour has come out previously: the excellent 4/24 concert in Dusseldorf, Germany, released as Rockin’ the Rhein in 2004.

Until now, that is. Jeffrey Norman, who has been the primary mixer of Dead archival multi-track material for the past 15 years (Fillmore West ’69, Ladies and Gentlemen…, Rockin’ the Rhein, Nightfall of Diamonds, etc.) has spent many months toiling over the 16-track masters from the tour, and will continue working on the mixes through the Winter and Spring, employing the high-tech Plangent Processes transfer and restoration tools, trying to get every show to sound “just exactly perfect” (as Bob Weir says) for this release. You might think you’ve heard that intense “Dark Star” > “Sugar Mag” > “Caution” from Copenhagen, but I guarantee you’ve never heard it sound this alive! Mastering to HDCD specs is two-time Grammy-winning engineer David Glasser of Airshow Mastering. Needless to say, all the songs that turned up on previous Europe compilations will be appear in their proper show contexts, and in the case of songs from the Europe ’72 album, without overdubs that were added later (where possible).

So dig deep, raid the penny jar, take a weekend job at Jack-in-the-Box, beg your kindly ol’ grandma for some of your inheritance early… Yes, it’s an extravagance, but jeez, you (or your loved one) deserve it! This is way cool.

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@ GratefulDon You were asking about California orders. I'm in the Sacramento region and my box is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I have been waiting for one for years. This is going to be a very 24 hours or so
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it was shocking to me when i found out a couple of days ago that some people got their steamer trunks.congratulations,it wasn't even september yet! i've been reading in this forum since january and seems like everybody wants to write today(everybody with the box,that is). i was hoping for the dvd too,but it's ok: i got a copy. i was expecting some artifacts inside,it's ok i can do without. the cd cases are fragile,it's ok i'll be careful. the sound seems to be great,except for one post here.it's ok,i'm not expecting less from jeffrey norman and david glasser. there is a sticker inside,ok i'll stick it on the back of my ukelele next to my "together through life"bob dylan sticker. no limited edition number?,it's ok i know it's limited. i made myself a promise of not wanting to know anything about the box until i got it,of course it wasn't easy,i have already seen some pictures and read some stuff about it.and now i want it here now if you know what i mean,this morning i listened while working the 4 cd's of steppin out,in my car i've been listening dick's picks volume ? stanley theater from 72 too. now i'm ready for the box. it's only 73 cd's, a book,a booklet and a sticker?it's ok by me. i have bought some box sets in the past and is usual to have a feeling of "is that all?"once you open it but in the long run the music is what it counts. last year i bought the neil young dvd boxset. the year before that the albert ayler "holy ghost" boxset. and a couple of years before the charley patton "screaming & hollering the blues" i expect to buy the new john fahey box later this year(now on pre-sale on dust to digital records) what i mean is:the first week you'll be reading the book and looking at the box(gee it's beautiful)but in the end it's all about the music,really.and this grateful dead tour of europe deserves to be listened.somebody was asking who was introducing the band at the shows,well in the" steppin' out" release there is an intro by sam cutler,yes the rolling stones road manager. i want to give public thanks here to marye,she made it all possible for me,without her i would not be here expecting nothing.if anybody knows the gene clark cover of the song "give my love to marie",well ;change that i for a y,that's it for me.
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>For a big investment like this, those covers to the CD's are going to be in bad shape after a few >plays. I am thinking of making duplicates of all 73. I've already started that process, also importing into iTunes as I do it.
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Sam Cutler introduces the band at the start of the first two concerts. Thanks to DL for this info. And Thank You to everyone who made this release possible, and for producing it so beautifully- This is the greatest release ever!!!
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Got my Europe 72 set last night and started listening to it today..it's bringing tears to my eyes the sound quality is beyond superb, past great, above awesome!! Good job boys, finally something that comes close to actually being at the show, if I close my eyes I am there. Thank you thank you thank you for this amazing collection, I will be buried with mine some day =)
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14 years 6 months
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Wandered over to pay my rent this morning and I hear that there's a package for me. Wow, that's a large box - two weeks late for my birthday but I've got the day off from work. I'll be putting them on I-Tunes and loading them in jewel cases for at least the rest of today. Haven't felt like this since the two days in Boulder... Sincerely, Richard Fredrick W0KLE
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The frustration of people is clearly warranted and expected based on the debacle that was created over the production of 7,200 items (a very small number). Dead.net/Rhino are at fault in creating the negative postings here for the following reasons: 1) The communication throughout this whole 9 months process has been atrocious. From the change in address and credit card issues to the expectation set in the original postings about what people would be getting in the set. The posting for the all music edition states: the boxed set and all of its accouterments will not be made available beyond these 7,200 boxed sets (and wait until you see the case in which the music is housed, the hard-bound coffee-table book, plus all of the other cool surprises we've been unearthing!). What surprises??? All of its accoutrements? 2 books and a sticker. It sounds as though we would have expected more. This is aside from the preliminary pic showing a map etc.... To me its not that important to actually have, its more that it was presented that we would be getting more. The posting did say individually numbered. I guess that only the personalized sets are numbered. Really??? 2)Quality Control- One of my friends received his box set. It was supposed to be a personalized set. The set arrived without the inspected by sticker and therefore had no number. He is waiting to hear back from CS. This really isnt acceptable. His set also did not have the sticker included. So some did and some didnt get the sticker? I am unclear as to what is supposed included. It all comes back to communication. I could understand if there were 50,000 of these things but there isnt there are 7,200 and they had 8+ months to get the trunks ready and couldnt get it right? C'mon now really????? They should have done away with the personalization and just numbered them the way that it was done for Fillmore Box..... Its just that we were all hyped up to have this massive box set with "lots of cool stuff" and there really weren't any "surprises" like we were led to believe, so yes people will be disappointed . Yes we all realize it is all about the music and that is why we ultimately ordered this and the music is great, there is no question about that. However we were the ones lucky enough to get the exclusive box set and we didnt get much more than a couple of books and a replica trunk to store it in (which is beautiful) So I do send my thanks to everyone that worked to making that happen. In the future the communication to a small group of people could be much improved......
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I received a "personalized" and numbered set but I 100% agree that ALL 7200 of the limited set should be numbered. Does the "music only" set have the 2 books and 1 sticker? If it does, than there are really only 3000 limited sets, not 7200.
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And it's dangerous when I'm thinking, that the gap between the stuff that was advertised way back at the beginning of the year (numbering, accoutrements, surprises) and the reality that we're seeing boils down to one simple fact: the product was still in development when the sales pitch was rolled out to us. "They" didn't really know what all was going to be in this box, aside from the music -- and obviously even that hadn't really been worked out, since the project grew from "more than 60" discs to 72 discs to 73 discs. "They" have already admitted that there was no good guess as to what the demand might be, thus production wouldn't commence until there were at least 3000 orders in hand. I'm suprised about the numbering, though, given how it was done -- on the same sticker as the personalization -- I can sort of see how that ball got dropped. Though the sticker would have looked a little odd without the personalized verbiage, shipping it blank, but still numbered, would have allowed for self-personalization for the 4200. And I'm sure that 4200 more stickers would not have broken the bank on this project -- if that's the case, then Rhino better have sold a ton of the music-only sets... The anticipated doo-dads would have been nice, but I can live with what I got. The box is actually nicer than I expected -- was beginning to wonder if it was some corrugated shipping box gussied up to look like a steamer trunk. Still money well-spent. Thinking good thoughts for all of you still in waiting mode...
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73 discs -- all tracks in order! more important than a road map
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I did get my numbered set, and while I'll agree that the lack of much 'extras' was disappointing, it is not a big deal to me. What is a big deal is that there appears to be no tag info included on the discs. When I put in a disc to load it into iTunes, it just shows Track 01, track 02, etc. No band name, no album name, nothing. I don't think I should have to write tags for all of these discs after paying what I did for this set. Is this just soemthing I am experiencing, or are others having the same issue? If you get confused, listen to the music play! ChinaRider
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Some discs have tag info and some don't.
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To Hal M sorry if this answer is redundant as I haven't read all the comments. As I understand it The Danish TV station owns the show and won't allow its release. I got that from someone fairly close to the band a while back take it for what it's worth. Have to just enjoy the bootlegs. A shame though I would guess that is probably the best and largest amount of Pigpen that is on video
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First of all, what I'm about to express is admittedly an opinion, as is any other comment about the sound or performance quality. I realize that not everyone might share it, but I'd be curious if anyone does. Having made it through the first three shows, I'm finding that the mixing and/or mastering does not seem to measure up when compared to some of the more exquisite-sounding multitrack (and Winterland!) vault releases. These new E72s seem to have a certain murkiness about them that robs the music of a certain transparency, which further obscures Keith in the mix, dulls Phil's plucky attack, and reduces the shimmer in Jerry's leads. By no means is it not enjoyable listening, but compared to earlier releases (including one of my favorites--Steppin' Out), this one's a little flat sounding. Why is that? Obviously I don't know. Norman has proven himself countless times before in mixing AND mastering releases like the Winterland and Fillmore sets. Glasser was brought in later to master releases like the Warlocks and Crimson White sets which sound okay. It would be really interesting to hear these gentlemen discuss their approaches to their respective crafts more fully. (The Glasser interview a few months ago on this topic wasn't helpful, as he never seemed to articulate very well just what he DOES). But, again, that's just my opinion. A few earlier posters seem to agree, and I wonder if there are any others. Cheers.
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Waiting for my box set to arrive, it does make one humble to admit sheepishly that I feel like I am a kid again, when I used to wait for my little package to arrive in the mailbox from Battle Creek MI, after I sent off my $2 and cereal box tops four-to-six-weeks earlier for some absolutely lusted after trinket I just had to have. Oh well. I am enjoying reading about the folks in this forum waiting and saying how they will listen to this set. I have always routinely – or maybe neurotically – listened to each new album I have bought, my entire post-adolescent life, uninterrupted and completely through the first time. Like many music lovers, back in the day, I would carefully cue up each new vinyl acquisition on my turntable, thread the tape through my 15 ips Roberts reel-to-reel, and record each new album – playing only the tape, in order to try to save the wear on the records – and sit back and take it in. I remember when I first bought Live Dead purely because I had just read the Rolling Stone review (“…put on the dead and spread…”), and listened from start to finish – and was hypnotized. So, fast forward half a lifetime, and I am still there. I get new music, and the first time I listen, I still want to experience beginning to end, without interruptions – which obviously will be problematic for this box set. So, I have at least resigned myself to listening through each show one at a time, in order, uninterrupted. The reason I am bringing this up is that, like some others have hinted, spousal support is needed. I blithely logged on and was lucky enough to score a box set the first day I saw they were on sale… but now that reality hits, and it’s money time – ouch. So, I have dug deep & funded it. However, now I want to experience this set, at least the first time, in all its glory. FoundSailor mentioned earlier about having to wait for his dahlquist speakers to come out of the shop to listen – boy, do I understand that feeling! I lost my treasured Stax headphones ( whole system, obviously, including my excellent B&W speakers… but the Stax were a supreme experience ) in Katrina’s waters, and have been slowly rebuilding my system ever since. But, I have held off for five years on that expensive plunge for new headphones. Now, as I grit and grind my teeth, I am realizing that this set will probably push me over the edge, and finally have to find a way – some way, any way, some as-of-yet unknown way – to get those Grado RS-1 phones I have been fantasizing about for ever so long. My problem…. I convinced my wife that the $ for this set would be my combined Christmas & birthday ( which means I can’t listen to even the first note for 3 months) …. So now, how do I change direction, and convince that I need the SAME amount of money, but now for headphones?? Argggghh !
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My box set just arrived! I dont care that it isnt numbered. I dont care that some of the extras arent included. I am so Grateful that I have an understanding wife who was cool with me getting this. I am also Grateful that I have the MUSIC! I need to walk thE dog right now but when I get back, Im putting in the first disc and gonna SMILE SMILE SMILE!
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Just received the Big Box, 628/7200, opened very carefully. Everything that is supposed to be in Box is there, including the sticker. Yes-in my fantasy addelled brain, I was expecting MORE knick knacks but oh well it is what it is. The only real complaint I have is that they should have used the same sleeve/digi pak they used on Fillmore 69 The Complete Recordings. These sleeves are not as good as the Road Trips sleeves. Other than that I am extremely pleased to receive this box. Now all I have to do is listen to it all !!! Thanx Rhino/GDM from Sparks, Nevada
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For folks talking about differences in sound quality, I know I heard interviews with various people involved with this project over the past few months (Gans' interviews are a good start) that talk about how the room itself affected the recording. Some rooms were better than others in terms of acoustics so that might explain perceived variances with certain shows. There is only so much the folks putting this set together could control. Just thought I'd offer that up in case some folks had missed those interviews. "Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir." Time is a great storyteller. -- Irish Proverb
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Just got mine & looks to me like a pretty 1st class production. I have to say that it's kinda typical that some people have to nitpick instead of enjoying what we've got. But as my Dad liked to say "Some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope". My hat's off to customer service who I'm betting were being driven NUTS the last few days. Good going all around! & yes, let the music play!
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Only listened to Beat Club and Newcastle One of the great underrated shows from the tour) so far, but they sound pretty OK to these old ears, damaged by 40 years of listening to very loud rock n roll as they are. No one should have expected perfection.............. Been lusting for a clean copy of Amsterdam for decades, with the psychedelic waterfall Other One.................... The "goodies"---mere window dressing, gravy, let's not forget what the main course is. Loved the short essay on the Nash Strat, the tone of that axe always knocked me out......... Suggestions for future boxes: Acid month Fall 1970 Just one man's humble opinion, Doc G Key Largo
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Back in January when this box was announced, I knew i had to have it. $450. No worries. Don't have to pay until September. How am I going to make that happen I wondered. I know, Ill save all my change until then. Ill put all my bottle return money aside. That will help me pay for it. Well today I took in my change and my bottle reuturn money I have been putting aside. Grand total $404.77. Almost paid for the whole thing and I never missed a dime of it after I got used to the idea. I have started a new jar for the next release.
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Only got the first 8 for E72 done so far. I've been posting my own scans here: LINK Check out the other galleries for the Download Series, Dick's Picks and Road Trips. The RT Bonus Discs need to be rescanned, as well as DP Vols 26-36.
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They said September - here it is September 1st, and the big box just appeared on my doorstep. Fn' awesome. Something for the ride to Strawberry. Now I know what my ears will be doing for a while.
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(this from the included book) "and no-one was in the truck" words to live by - sometimes things are Just Fine with no-one in the truck!
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16 years 3 months
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The box was on my doorstep when I got home from work (I live in the east bay); like many (most?), nothing yet on the credit card, when I talked to CS on Monday the person I talked to said the card would probably be charged this week and the box shipped next week. So, kudos for beating expectations! Patience was rewarded . . . really looking forward to listening!!
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14 years 1 month
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got the goods today hold has been on the card since the 19th - still is
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"On August 31st, 2011 Zuckfun said: Does anyone know who introduces the band at the start of the concerts? This release is amazing, and sets the standard for excellence- The greatest release ever (by far!)" The intro is done by Sam Culter. Check out his book if you get a chance. It's really good.
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13 years 9 months
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Wish I had been there more so now than ever. This release was absolutely phenomenal. Bravo to each and every person involved...alive or Dead. Gone without listening to any GD for a week in anticipation of today's surprise delivery. Thank you for this incredible undertaking and thank you to the rest of the Deadheads who stepped up and invested in this piece of history. The most ambitious boxed set ever is sitting on my dining room table. I'm almost tearing up just thinking about my road trip this weekend which will undoubtedly be the only pleasant drive through Nebraska in my entire life. Thank you
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jamming away to this amazing music. I added the E72 boxes to my watch list on ebay, not one bid has been made so far. Some want 850-1000 bucks already, folks just don't have that kind of $ to spend these days. Hope everyone enjoys the weekend coming. Coconut Phil, living Free.
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16 years 7 months
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Well it came about 15 minutes ago. With all the buildup its arrival was almost anticlimatic. The steamer trunk is cool, the books are nice and the sticker will go on my car somewhere. They definately could have put some more repro goodies in it. Which brings me to my 1st observation that might be different from most peoples. For those of you that got the music only set don't worry it truely is about the music and you aren't going to miss out on that. As for those buying it on ebay for a 75% markup it won't really be worth it. This is coming from a serious collector who in the past, better days, went a little crazy collecting (5000 CD's lots of "special" box sets etc). To the Head who tried slapping me a couple of days ago when I said that people who were working themselves into a frenzy over this when there were a million more things in this world to expend energy on and that they should chill, Peace. I do know how to get worked up over a special collectable. It's funny how the anti materialist generation became so opposet (and I am in the top of that group). Too bad it took such a mess to let us relearn what we once Knew. Now the covers. While they are kind of a pain they really aren't that hard to get out just follow the advice of the Head about 30 back. Just exert light pressure on each side and pull it out (while it will fall out I wouldn't advise that I've watched a couple of cds in similar covers go rolling out of my hand doing that) It isn't the most practical design but so much better than the junk most use - jewell cases. One thing I wish US companies would do is use the rice paper (not poly) sleeves with this design. A couple of people have mention the hinges not being strong enough that they will rip out. I think this may be because they have it like a siutcase not like a steamer trunk which of course should be on its end. To the Fox Mulders out there that think it isn't limited since it is only numbered up to a certain point. This would go against everything Rhino has ever done. When they limit an edition they don't change it later (unlike many other companies a certain release by EMI comes to mind just pull out your old Sex Pisols lp and play the song of the same name a few times). Finally to the folks at Rhino thank you so much once again you have produced a fine product (and I go back to the begining with you, many fine titles), with a minimum of hassle, great customer service and a resonable price. Next can we have all the Greek shows in one box? That's it for now excuse me I have a lot of music to listen to
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16 years 4 months
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Way to go UPS. I was supposed to get my box tomorrow. It arrived a day early. I showed up a little late for the party and signed up for the all-music edition. But I guess some people dropped out of the original offering, which allowed me to get the box. The steamer trunk is nice and I’m glad I have it. It’s clever packaging and cool to look at. I’ll look at the book once or twice. But I’ll listen to the music over and over and over. Like many people, I’ve owned many of these recordings before as some pretty good quality soundboards, but the sound engineering on these CDs makes them sound brand new to my ears. I‘m no audio snob, but I know what I like, and I’m just delighted at the sound and mixing . I saw the Dead live for the first time shortly before they went to Europe and again soon after they got back, and a few more times after that. Hearing them once again sounding so young, and fresh and vital makes me feel like a kid again. For my money, ‘69-‘73 are the Dead’s peak years, and this tour may have been the highlight; certainly one of them. Five hundred bucks is a good chunk of change for me just like everyone else, but it was money well-spent. Thanks to everyone involved.
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13 years 10 months
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#429 has made landfall in the Bay Area! What a beautiful artifact. It's fortunately a lot more robust than some of the comments had been leading me to believe...I was getting the idea that the discs were packed in printed tissue paper and the trunk would fall apart if I looked at it cross-eyed! Got my CDs, got my books, got my sticker...and what's this, hidden in the bottom like contraband? Two bags of SILICA GEL!!! Far out! (Don't snort it.)
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16 years 11 months
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I got home from work today to find, to my delight, a large box, left on the steps in front of my house by UPS. And then I looked at the box. Right where the box says "FRAGILE" in very large bold letters, there was a HOLE, where something had punched THROUGH the box, leaving four radiating tears in the corrugated paper carton. I photographed the box as it was, then opened it and found a 1" long gouge in the face of my Europe '72 suitcase. Nearby, along an edge, there is a very noticeable dent, reflecting a matching dent in the edge of the shipping carton. No signature was apparently required on a $500 limited availability item. Anyone could have taken the box while I was away from home. What I need to know now is this: CAN I get my damaged suitcase replaced? If not, CAN I get some sort of compensation from UPS? And, finally, WHY was it not "signature required" when shipped?
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16 years 4 months
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@ Shrewnews Lol Your post made me laugh, 'cause I was thinking exactly the same thing about the packaging. All I can say about the people who ripped the CD sleeves is that they must have been in an awful hurry to get to the music, which I understand completely. I managed to remove mine without a single rip. I would caution people to not leave the steamer trunk lid open without support. You'll lose a hinge over time.
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14 years 1 month
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As many here have mentioned before, I was surprised by the lack of surprises. I too was hoping for a DVD. I have only listened to the Wembley shows (I'm the kind that starts at the beginning...) but I have no complaints with the mix. There is a lot of presence, the band is right up front - almost puts you on the lip of the stage. I can't wait for this weekend when I will be able to find out how this sounds when played LOUD. Music this good compensates for a lot of quibbles.
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17 years 5 months
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Like most of us, I didn't even know that they had been shipped till I got home yesterday and found that UPS had tried a delivery. Needless to say I knew right away what it was. Just got home today and found them sitting on my doorstep in all their glory. The packing is just like everyone else has described and there was no problems with it getting damaged enroute. I am a little disappointed that there was not a little more swag inside, like some bonus video material or other little gimmes. But I am sure the music will be incredible, and I thankful I have a long weekend to savor it. "All Who Wander Are Not Lost....."
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17 years 1 month
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Well, number 0032/7200 arrived today and as far as UPS, the driver walked up to my doorstep with the door open and dropped the thing on the ground in front of us. BAM!!! There's a ding in the box and at least one of the covers has a slight crease. I've only made it through one of the cd's so far but I like what I hear. On the wall of the garden a legend did say: "No one may come here since no one may stay."
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17 years 1 month
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I guess that I should add that when the driver dropped it, he dropped it upside down with the this side up arrow going the other way. On the wall of the garden a legend did say: "No one may come here since no one may stay."
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16 years 3 months
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Let the listening begin. There is some good lovin in California. This has got to be the most generous gift that any band could ever give to their fans. For those who are still waiting all I can say is I feel your pain. I want all of my brothers and sisters to be on the bus. Which one will it be? Bolos or Bozos? I am deep into the second disc and am blown away! Everything already posted is true. There is no hyperbole. This is going to make my 160 mile a day commute so much better. I might just keep on driving. Well I got to get back to the music. It's going to be a great weekend.
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17 years 4 months
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Big-time kudos to you, russell, for scrimping and saving to make this happen for you. I read your account to my wife and she agreed. If your box ever gets passed on to someone else down the line, I hope your story goes along with it. I just wanted to make sure that at least one post here acknowledges your story. Glad you shared it with us, and I suspect there are many others out there. Best regards.
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14 years 8 months
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I have finished listening to the 1st two shows at Wembley and all I can say is - supercalafragalistic! The 2 Wembley shows are off the hook awesome! I can't wait to hear the rest of the tour!
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16 years 11 months
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I called up customer service (1-800-CAL-DEAD), and after 15 minutes on hold got a very helpful service rep who told me that he would look into getting me a replacement suitcase for the one that was mauled by UPS. Like many others here, I looked for a limited edition serial number, but the service rep confirmed that they are ONLY on the personalized (first 3,000) sets. Conspiracy theorists will probably posit that this means that the 7,200 limit consisted of 15,000 sets, but I doubt it. The limited set, with the two books and the one sticker inside, is quite nice to have, but like people have been saying, it's all about the music. If I had missed out on the suitcase sets and had gotten to see one of them up close, I would not hesitate to order the music-only set, because the books are nice, but they are not worth $400 more on eBay, and neither is the suitcase itself. I think that DIGITAL (pdf files) of the books would be a nice way of saying, "Sorry that your order missed the 7,200 cutoff," and I wish that I had pdf files of the books so that I could browse them over and over again while listening to the music, and not having to worry about spilling things on them, soiling the photo pages with skin oils, or accidentally tearing a page if I get startled by my wife screaming about a spider on the wall. But, wow... TWENTY-TWO different versions of "Mr. Charlie."
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13 years 3 months
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Information #1. Information!!! Can one of you guys describe this infamous "sticker"? Is that just a plain white typed sticker that looks like a paper receipt at first until you look at it? I got one of those, but like I said however many posts back, that just has my name, address, Order#, a Thank You message, and Customer Service info, etc. But no limited ed. # or any personalization. (Knew I wasn't getting personalized one anyway) OR....are you guys talking about the extra little colored Grateful Dead sticker that was included? Does THAT have your name and limited ed. number? Cause that's pretty cool if that's the case. There's two of those on mine; one was lightly stuck on right over where the top meets the bottom so it rips if you open it, hence, another one was included to stick on. (if you open it-that's a good one. IF? Ha, ha, ha! When you deadheaded fool! When! When you rip her open with drool on yer chin!) Everytime I've listened to the 3/1/69 DStar, I've said to meself, that's the greatest one ever, then when I've listened to the Wembley 4/8/72 Star, I always said THAT'S the greatest one ever. Well, now having listened to the 4/8/72 show in all it's mixed and mastered glory with headphones on my brain just melted. So it must be the best. Debate resolved-I can stop talking to myself. Hooray!
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14 years 1 month
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there is the white one looks like a shipping label then there is a sticker and two books the sticker is the same that overlaps the gap on front of the trunk (that you can easily move down a few inches) also on the front of the trunk is the personalized label that would also have the box ####
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13 years 3 months
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Thanks. Well, now we know. If you were one of the #3001-#7200, yours isn't numbered. Not the end of the world, but a silly mistake for them to make. And they only have themselves to blame for the conspiracists to speculate that there's really a 100,000 of these things out there. No one will do so for the Fillmore West '69 set. Anyhoo, I plan on spending hours and hours soiling my book's photo pages with my skin oils while listening and ignoring the shrieks of me missus when she spots all manner of insects...