• https://www.dead.net/features/release-info/wait-over-winterland-1973-box-has-arrived
    The Wait Is Over… The Winterland 1973 Box Has Arrived!

    Sherman, set the Wayback machine for the second week of November, 1973. The Grateful Dead are on a roll…yes, again! The summer had seen the band playing triumphant mega-shows with the Allman Brothers at RFK Stadium in D.C. and at Watkins Glenn in upstate New York. With their popularity seemingly still escalating by the month, fall tours took them to various East Coast haunts and all over the Midwest. On October 15, they released Wake of the Flood, their first album on their own independent record label, and copies were flying out of stores coast to coast. So the mood in the band was WAY UP when their incredibly busy schedule brought them home for three shows at Winterland in San Francisco November 9, 10 and 11—before they set off again for points East.

    Winterland always brought out the best—and the beast—in the band. Located across Geary Boulevard from the Fillmore Auditorium, the one-time home of the Ice Follies had hosted dozens of amazing rock shows since Bill Graham started putting on shows there in the late ’60s. It’s where the top tier of Bay Area bands would get together occasionally for marathon shows, and it’s where the most popular out-of-town acts—from The Doors, to Hendrix, to The Who, to the Rolling Stones—would play in the era before faceless sports arenas became an unfortunate fact of concert-going life. But nobody played Winterland as often as the Dead. By the time they’d trucked their ever-expanding sound system to the venue for their November ’73 shows, they’d already logged 31 concerts there—and there would be another 28 eventful Dead nights at Winterland before the old place was closed after the Dead’s New Year’s Eve show in 1978, and eventually reduced to rubble to make way for condos. Sure, the 5,000-capacity hall was acoustically challenging and a little frayed on the edges. But with its narrow open floor, shallow lower balcony that encircled the entire venue, its deeper back balcony chill zone, and serpentine walkways between floors, it was a tremendously fun and entertaining place to see a show—especially a Dead show.

    Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings captures the Dead during one of their peak years and absolutely at the top of their game. Spread over nine discs, it includes every note of three complete consecutive shows (save for the encore of November 9, which was not recorded), so there’s plenty here to satisfy every fan: magnificent jams on “Dark Star” (which sprawls to 35 completely compelling minutes!), “Playing in the Band,” “Eyes of the World,” the still-new “Weather Report Suite” and more; kick-ass rockers of every variety (“Sugar Magnolia,” “Casey Jones,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Truckin’,” et al); haunting ballads including “China Doll,” “Stella Blue” and “To Lay Me Down”; a truly spectacular “China Cat”; and the first of just three versions ever of the dazzling sequence of “Playing in the Band” > “Uncle John’s Band” > “Morning Dew” > “Uncle John’s” reprise > “Playing” reprise. (For a complete listing of the contents of the nine discs, go here.)

    All the music here was drawn from Grateful Dead crew member Kidd Candelario’s crystal clear and wonderfully present 2-track soundboard reels of the shows, and enhanced by the mastering work of the always reliable sonic wizard Jeffrey Norman, who used all sorts of arcane processes to bring it all into the glorious world of HDCD sound. This stuff will rattle your bones! The beautifully designed box also comes with a colorful booklet containing scads of great photos and a fine essay by Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally.

    We like to think of Winterland 1973 as being part of the noble tradition established by the ecstatically received Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings, and as a precursor for other complete-run boxes to come. So clear out a chunk of space in the ol’ CD case, ’cause this mutha’ is a BIG ONE!

    Don’t delay! You can order Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings right now by clicking here !

    (To help get you in the mood, you can preview some of the music on the Winterland 1973 box by clicking here. And to give you a little glimpse of what Winterland was like, check out this video montage with audio from the ’73 shows and visuals from The Grateful Dead Movie, shot at Winterland a year later!)

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    anrumler
    16 years 8 months ago
    Received
    Well I guess my concern was all for nothing. When I got home today from work my package was at the door. I've got to say that it kicks ass so far!!! Interesting place to put the Gan's setlist though. /shrug
  • Default Avatar
    anrumler
    16 years 8 months ago
    UPS Tracking
    For the past 3 days on the ups website my tracking info is listed as "Billing Info Received". I hope that it is just a mix up and the package is really on its way since I chose the 2 day air option. Has anyone else had this happen?
  • outpost
    16 years 8 months ago
    Superfast delivery to UK
    Thanks guys !! ... 4 working days to the UK, is exceptional. Just started on Disc 1.
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Sherman, set the Wayback machine for the second week of November, 1973. The Grateful Dead are on a roll…yes, again! The summer had seen the band playing triumphant mega-shows with the Allman Brothers at RFK Stadium in D.C. and at Watkins Glenn in upstate New York. With their popularity seemingly still escalating by the month, fall tours took them to various East Coast haunts and all over the Midwest. On October 15, they released Wake of the Flood, their first album on their own independent record label, and copies were flying out of stores coast to coast. So the mood in the band was WAY UP when their incredibly busy schedule brought them home for three shows at Winterland in San Francisco November 9, 10 and 11—before they set off again for points East.

Winterland always brought out the best—and the beast—in the band. Located across Geary Boulevard from the Fillmore Auditorium, the one-time home of the Ice Follies had hosted dozens of amazing rock shows since Bill Graham started putting on shows there in the late ’60s. It’s where the top tier of Bay Area bands would get together occasionally for marathon shows, and it’s where the most popular out-of-town acts—from The Doors, to Hendrix, to The Who, to the Rolling Stones—would play in the era before faceless sports arenas became an unfortunate fact of concert-going life. But nobody played Winterland as often as the Dead. By the time they’d trucked their ever-expanding sound system to the venue for their November ’73 shows, they’d already logged 31 concerts there—and there would be another 28 eventful Dead nights at Winterland before the old place was closed after the Dead’s New Year’s Eve show in 1978, and eventually reduced to rubble to make way for condos. Sure, the 5,000-capacity hall was acoustically challenging and a little frayed on the edges. But with its narrow open floor, shallow lower balcony that encircled the entire venue, its deeper back balcony chill zone, and serpentine walkways between floors, it was a tremendously fun and entertaining place to see a show—especially a Dead show.

Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings captures the Dead during one of their peak years and absolutely at the top of their game. Spread over nine discs, it includes every note of three complete consecutive shows (save for the encore of November 9, which was not recorded), so there’s plenty here to satisfy every fan: magnificent jams on “Dark Star” (which sprawls to 35 completely compelling minutes!), “Playing in the Band,” “Eyes of the World,” the still-new “Weather Report Suite” and more; kick-ass rockers of every variety (“Sugar Magnolia,” “Casey Jones,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Truckin’,” et al); haunting ballads including “China Doll,” “Stella Blue” and “To Lay Me Down”; a truly spectacular “China Cat”; and the first of just three versions ever of the dazzling sequence of “Playing in the Band” > “Uncle John’s Band” > “Morning Dew” > “Uncle John’s” reprise > “Playing” reprise. (For a complete listing of the contents of the nine discs, go here.)

All the music here was drawn from Grateful Dead crew member Kidd Candelario’s crystal clear and wonderfully present 2-track soundboard reels of the shows, and enhanced by the mastering work of the always reliable sonic wizard Jeffrey Norman, who used all sorts of arcane processes to bring it all into the glorious world of HDCD sound. This stuff will rattle your bones! The beautifully designed box also comes with a colorful booklet containing scads of great photos and a fine essay by Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally.

We like to think of Winterland 1973 as being part of the noble tradition established by the ecstatically received Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings, and as a precursor for other complete-run boxes to come. So clear out a chunk of space in the ol’ CD case, ’cause this mutha’ is a BIG ONE!

Don’t delay! You can order Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings right now by clicking here !

(To help get you in the mood, you can preview some of the music on the Winterland 1973 box by clicking here. And to give you a little glimpse of what Winterland was like, check out this video montage with audio from the ’73 shows and visuals from The Grateful Dead Movie, shot at Winterland a year later!)

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Does anyone want to venture any guesses as to what the "two surprise pieces of memorabilia from the Winterland era" will be?
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17 years 6 months
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I seem to remember that at the time they tore the place down various people of my acquaintance managed to make off with seats and the like. Or chunks of concrete. But I don't see that scaling to something of this nature!
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16 years 8 months
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For those that keep asking for the re-release of the fillmore 69 box set just forget about it. It was released as a limited edition and needs to stay that way. It would lower the value tremendously for those of us who got it if they started selling it again. I really like the idea of limited edition except for the a-holes who buy up a bunch and sell them for a profit.
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16 years 10 months
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How very karmic of you. If you aren't going to sell it for a huge profit, then the value is just having the music. After all, personal property is only "worth" whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
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17 years 5 months
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I suppose it takes all sorts but anrumler's remarks seem to me to go beyond the limits! Really, just read your post and think about it. Its OK to deprive all sorts of faithful (but poor or slow off the mark) deadheads of their band's finest hours so that you can feel smug about having something rare. All I want to know is are you kind?
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16 years 8 months
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I have missed out on limited items before and I just accept the fact that I lost out. (Deadbase 11 comes to mind right off hand) I dont constantly keep asking for it to be re-release re-produced etc. Judge me all you want but I am all about sharing and I would be more than happy to burn you a copy if it wasnt against the law.
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16 years 10 months
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what would anybody lose if these things were re-released? if a person bought the box set for the music, or in the case of deadbase to have access to inordinate amounts of dead info, that person would still have exactly that even following a re-release and you didn't really pay a premium for it. if the person bought something "limited" for the sake of having something others do not, or in the hopes that they would be able to manipulate a market of deadheads to turn a profit, then i guess i would understand the outrage (but see no virtue in it), at a re-release. the way i see it, it's the same way with concert tickets. i was fortunate enough to get some extra tickets for the upcoming phil shows. if livenation were somehow able to release more tickets, it wouldn't affect me a bit because i had no intent to use the limited nature of the tickets to obtain a higher price than i paid.
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17 years 6 months
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I am not a lawyer, but I imagine there would be some legal exposure if the company produced more copies of something that was advertised and sold as a limited edition of a specified number of copies. I have no idea who would have standing to sue over it, and I don't know if anyone with such standing would actually do so, but it's got to be a factor. Gans/GD Hour blog
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16 years 10 months
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i agree with that assessment and have no problem with taking legal considerations into account. it's more the fan animus that i don't understand.
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17 years 6 months
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happy happy joy joy! As far as Fillmore 69, David you are probally correct here...Maybe they could re-release the CD's without the fancy shmancy box and liner notes of the "limited" version! Then the limited edition release would be just that. A limited edition. lol
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happy happy joy joy! As far as Fillmore 69, David you are probally correct here...Maybe they could re-release the CD's without the fancy shmancy box and liner notes of the "limited" version! Then the limited edition release would be just that. A limited edition. lol
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Easy workaround -- Fillmore 69, Unlimited Edition. The discs and nothing but the discs. Better yet, just the complete recordings available for download, no special edition packaging required. Where there's a will, there's a way.
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Just got the Winterland set and I'm grinning from ear to ear. (Also listening to the bonus disc because I have to leave in a bit and can't do justice to the full Winterland.) The sound is amazing. The packaging is gorgeous--the Web art only hints at its true glory. Other cool stuff I won't spoil the surprise on. But, it exists! It shows up! It rocks!
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Yes, one would assume that if Filmore 69 was released as an MP3 download only, it would not encroach on the limited edition box set. Greg SC
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17 years 1 month
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Good call, Dave. I'm a lawyer, and I own one of the 10,000 (but for the value of the music, not the spec value). I'll bet the owner of a limited edition box set could easily establish standing if there is an immediate drop in value of the original edition because of the release of a second edition. I also own a Blue Iceberg signed by JG in 1991. The subsequent editions of the litho have a little JG-designed fish embossed/printed on the border to distinguish the original from the re-issue. That could easily be done with the FW1969 set. Or, as StolenOgre-luva notes, it could be released without booklet. It's all about the music, no?! Close on the heels of the day....
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Right on marye... Good to see someone actually has it in thier hands and from the brief review it sounds fantastic as I had the feeling it would.. sonically and visually... I love how you opted to do the bonus disc due to time constraint! lol... Yes! One needs to block out a good amount of time to give the set a proper listening to. : ) Cheers!
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Why all the whining about the 69 Fillmore Box set? We are getting ready to receive the complete Winterland shows. I'm very grateful for that. Can we Deadheads be happy for a few days? It took months for all the bitching to stop over the Tapers Section. David, I'm a long time fan, I hope my Winterland box arrives today. Many thanks, i'm a very happy camper. We all have a lot to be grateful for. Keep jamming America. PS, Ratdog has some solid shows posted, check out 3.21.08 at Livedownloads.com Coconut Phil, living Free.
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17 years 1 month
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Can anybody tell me how long between the time you received your "it hath been shipped" email and your receipt of the bundle of joy? "Close on the heels of the day..."
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17 years 5 months
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well the wise heads seem to have resolved the 69 thing. Make it a no frills download so the collectors can keep their gold and jewels and won't sue anyone. Sorry if I was a hot head but...oh well never mind. The pity is its probably too late for GDP to make any money out of it as for the desperate and dispossessed ways and means always exist. But if it is made a download not MP3 please but lossless. Much of the joy of the thing is the amazing sound...how do I know you ask? eeerrrrr.................. QED and I got my unlimited winterland shipping confirmation today and I am thrilled!
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17 years 6 months
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This thing is gorgeous. Looks. Feels. and SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL. the extra goodies are neat too...
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...what extra goodies are included with the box? I am so jealous of those who have already received theirs, and feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve shaking boxes and begging to open just one present... :)
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17 years 6 months
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Stephen, you'll just have to wait till Christmas morning!
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Got it yesterday... I have made it a habit of spinning the bonus disc first for some time, now, as it usually contains superior performancesas opposed to the regular release, for some unknown reason to me. BUT, this time, it's not the case. Although I am only 4 songs into the bonus disc, it is definetly NOT one for the museum. The package is a beaut! Love the little button... Love the Dead Head newsletter! Love the acid-tinged artwork! Hope the Nov. 9th. show is good, as it happens to be my birsday! (God what was I doing in '73... OH YEAH, getting blitzed...)I miss being Grateful...
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The eagle has landed. This is a must have folks. The jewel box is super cool. Don't be caught without it. If they continue to release this kind of material, the sky is the limit. Great job everybody.
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17 years 6 months
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Thank you to all involved- the best boxset yet. Artwork needs to be framed. The music is stratospheric!! Enjoying it as I write this........ Oz from Atlanta
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17 years 5 months
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I received shipment confirmation. Since I chose UPS, why was no tracking number included? Would have been nice considering the cost to ship UPS.
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16 years 8 months
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Allman, you can login to the store and view your order and the UPS tracking number should be listed there. At least mine is and I have to wait until Monday because I chose UPS Ground and I live in Birmingham... Looking forward to getting mine!!
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16 years 10 months
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Forever grateful to all who put this together.
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17 years 3 months
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Winter rain, now tell me why, Summers fade, and roses die.The answer came; the wind and rain... Oh don't mind me...i'm just singing along... And like a desert spring, my lover comes and spreads her wings, Knowing, Like a song that's born to soar the sky Alright, enough singing!! All i can say is that i received our music (because like Jerry said, when he's done playing it, it's ours...or something to that effect) yesterday and it is fantastic. Packaging, Extras, and especially the music. Well worth the money. A great big thank you to all of those involved!! Once again the entire Grateful Dead team went above and beyond.
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Recieved my copy of WINTERLAND yesterday, Thank you ! I have a question and I hope that someone can help me. ( Though its no big deal. ) On archive.org they have a copy of the 11/9/73 show, and the "Uncle John Band" encore is listed as being present. Is this a mistake on their part? I thought the encore to this particular show was not recorded. Thanks!
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Man, I'd like to see this complete box thing, hap'in 2 or 3 times a year!!!! It is a bit pricey,but I guess you'll have that,It's worth it to me,Can't wait to hear it. 73, what a grate year. '''Long Live JERRY'''
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17 years 3 months
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Got my box in yesterday's mail April 4. Awesome packaging. Sound is fine. A little weird to get a box set with so many repeated songs but isn't that part of the fun and attraction to discover little differences? Well worth the $100. Thank you Rhino. When's the next release? I'd love to have a poster of the cover artwork.
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17 years 6 months
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Thank you for the wonderful '73 box set finally! Packaging, and cover art are unbelievable, as is the music captured on 9 cd's + Cincy. (Be sure to flip all 9 over to capture the larger image. Worth every penny of the $100 or so I paid to get it here. Keep 'em comin Rhino!
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I wanted to thank everyone involved in producing and releasing this box set. I just got mine today and I am listening to it right now. It sounds great- I have been able to pick up on some really neat nad intricate nuances in the band's playing. Hell, that's one of the many reasons why I love them. Just recently, I have managed to acquire some of the other shows from late 1973 and I am really enjoying this particular period in Dead history from a year that I already knew was stellar. This box set will keep me busy for quite a while. I can't stop smiling...Rick Do or do not; there is no try.
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OK, I already posted when I ordered it, but now it's here. I had the 11/11 for several years with its deep, expansive, far-reaching Dark Star. This box is another monumental acheivement in official archive releases. Sound quality is really outstanding, the technical notes are welcome regarding the technology that went into preparing this 2 track tape. I think the band, the archivists, and the record label have always treated the fans fairly, just keep bringing us these quality releases. Playing the 11/9 China>Rider at the moment, what a cool transition. The bonus disc from Cincinatti, which I didn't previously have, is more than just a "throw-in". Eric J
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When this comes in, I can put away "How the West Was Won, Led Zepplin." Right now that one is stuck in my car cd player. Can't find a better "Dazed and Confused" than that. But I do believe a clean copy of 11/9/73 will force it out of my deck. Greg SC
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and your buds from different parts of the country are getting theirs! I know it's on the way; though I feel like I'm stalking the UPS truck when I see it in the area,,, good lord... When I check UPS tracking it says billing/shipping information received on April 2nd. Not really sure what that means.
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It finally arrived, and I hereby send out a HUGE thank you to everyone involved in this project! I do believe that in almost 20 years of buying CDs, this has the coolest packaging of anything I've ever bought. My only quibble is with the cardboard sleeves...I'm not the hugest fan of digipaks (a la Fillmore 1969), but having them in nothing but cardboard seems to increase the likelihood of scratching...and it is a bit tricky to pull the CD out without touching the edge of the playing surface. Oh well, I'll just have to burn some copies for "everyday use." The "extras" are fun, too (I won't spoil the surprise for anyone who hasn't received theirs yet). There is absolutely no quibble with the sonic delights contained herein! I'm dipping my toes in with the bonus disk, and all I can say is "wow." Again, thank you to everyone who had a hand in getting this piece of art to us. But thank you most of all to the boys, who "clicked" for three straight nights in November 1973! This will keep me busy for a long time....
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The sound is great, could not ask for better quality. Jam on America. Coconut Phil, living Free.
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17 years 6 months
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mine arrived today-- i am delighted and happy and jammin! thank you everybody!! i love you guys! caroline
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17 years 4 months
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Yes this is my first show but it is still a blurr.... it was either the 10th or the 11 I'm think 10th since mom's birthday was the 11th. I stayed over a friend's and went with him and his bothers to see the DEAD. What my parents will never know, oh sweet 16. Playing/Uncle Johns Band Jam can't wait..... The Bear 2
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17 years 3 months
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Mine just arrived...outstanding packaging, art and most importantly sound. Thanks so much for all who put effort into this. keep them coming!! Does God look down on the boys in the barroom Mainly forsaken but surely not judged? Jacks, kings, and aces, their faces in wine Do Lord deliver our kind
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THE highlist of the year so far for me.Could not come at a better time, When in doubt 1973 always works. “The Omnipotent Grateful Dead!”
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17 years 5 months
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Going down the road feeling...absolutely ecstatic. There is nothing like an old Grateful Dead tape resurfacing!!! Let alone a complete SET of WINTERLAND SHOWS from '73! Wowwee Zowee
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16 years 8 months
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Just received my box set today. Thanks!! I do have a question about Disc 2, track 8 - Bertha. I am not able to copy this track when trying to make a copy for my Ipod and car. I would not dare take this box set with me each time I go out, so making a copy is important to me. I also spoke to a friend who ordered the box and he is having the same problem with this track. Just wondering if GD is aware of this problem and if anyone else is having the same problem.
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16 years 9 months
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Got an e-mail saying it was shipped on April2. Today is April 8th. I can't wait to go home and see if it's waiting for me!!!
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17 years 1 month
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This is a killer set! Amazing sound! Great box love the extras... Enjoyed the booklet... All around Gold star thanks!I
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17 years 6 months
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Decola - successfully converted all 10 discs to my ipod, must be a random glitch on some of the CDs. Does the tune play okay directly from the CD or is that messed up as well??
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17 years 6 months
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we're getting a few isolated reports, and right now the best thing to do if you suspect a disc problem is to email the great Casson at casson dot kauffman at Iventa dot com to get the issue resolved. Sorry for the problem!
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What a beautiful set... The box is very beautiful... The artwork inside is amazing... the extras are fab.... and the music.... the music is spine tingling. What a fantastic job on the mastering. It sounds like I am in a time machine, back at Winterland. Jeffery Norman's work is stellar. He is a god... Nice on the money little history lesson from non other than Mr. McNally. I am almost done with 11/9 d2 and had to pop back to write. "Line up a long shot maybe try it two times, maybe more, Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor, Why hold out for more?" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh hell ya! What a great period for the band. thanks for the HUGE effort on this one!