• 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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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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but i'm underwhelmed. i don't think they're playing as passionately as on other concerts. i don't think i would have chosen this run for release, but i appear to be in the minority here.
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So I placed my order on March 18th. I received an email on April 1st saying that it was being shipped. I thought I'd ask whether anyone has received theirs from the postal service yet before i start worrying. Maybe they held some up after realizing there were defects on the discs.
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Beautiful Package, beautiful music. What a gift you have given all of us.
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17 years 6 months
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...somewhat. I've had 11/10 and 11/11 for a long time and have loved them both. Now I have beautifully mastered versions that are far superior. But 11/9 leaves a lot to be desired. IMHO it is filled with lots of out-of-tune notes that mar the overall concert. But having said that I'm still glad I got this box set. And will still buy more. Now if only there was a way to delete Donna Jean's painful wails and screeches...
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By the by, the customer service links via the store sorted me out with replacement of the defective disc pronto. It shipped within a day or two of me submitting my note re the problems with uploading. Kudos.
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Got mine today in sunny South Wales. It was mailed on 4th April arrived UK on 8th. Then caught up in customs for a week until I coughed up a whacking £16.81 (US$35)! to release it. Kind of takes the edge off what looks like a great product. Listening to the bonus disc and it sounds great (already have the Cincinnatti show but this is much crisper with a better mix). Let's hope by Bertha doesn't jump as even if a replacement if offered, nit sure I want to pay another $35 to receive it!
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I got hit with an even higher customs charge, Len. Worth it, though, because this is a nice package, and I'm just enjoying listening to the "Dark Star" now.
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Informed that was shipped on 4th April Actually posted on 9th and arrived today. No customs charges either. :-) Listening to TLEO from 9th right now. Was a tiny bit disappointed with the sound at first, but a couple of songs into the set and a few adjustments here and there and suddenly and it sounds so bright and clear. There is a wonderful depth to the quieter passages too and its great to hear Keith so well for a change. I shall savour this over the next few days. Congratulations and thanks to all involved (even Marye gets a name-check in the notes!). Some of us gave you a pretty hard time during the Tapers section debacle and the 'Silent Rhino Syndrome' months, but now the music is flowing like we hoped it would. I feel a whole lot better and I hope you do too. Keep up the good work!
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the dark star is phenomenal!!!!!!, but i was surprised by how much i enjoyed the 11/10 el paso. really nice set.
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Ok so I'm one of those "I hate compilation" guys... I admit it... But I do support the cause whenever full-on shows are put out even though I may already have the SBDs of the shows... Anyway I do have the 11/9 and 11/11 SBDs which I have to say are pretty darn good in terms of quality. The quality of these discs compared to those SBDs are definitely an upgrade but not a huge one. The best upgrade in sound is the Jerry's guitar is more prominent and resonant on the new release. Also the sound is far more balanced than the soundboards which often have keith;s piano loader than anything else. Additionally the circulating SBDs have some sound variations going on which come in/out. Anyway to the music... It is just great! Anytime you can listen to a 1973/74 Lay Me Down life is good! You can hear Jerry's guitar sing. Also fantastic to have the 11/10 show now and the great Morning Dew!!!! I REALLY like the concept of putting out runs of shows at a venue. You could probably keep doing winterland runs and put out another 100 releases... My fav all time for winterland runs is 6/7-9/77.... Anyway Love it and keep 'em coming!!!! In terms of customer service this was near perfect. order this last friday and arrive this tuesday. No skips on the CD player with greatest>bertha so hopefully I am good to go. Anyone on the fence... Go for it! Its worth the cost...
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Ordered it in March, it was shipped on April 1st and I'm still waiting for the package to arrive ... Micke Östlund, Växjö, Sweden "New Swedish site for those who love to make lists and want to display their record collection, more as a way to find like-minded than to show off, of course." My collection is here: http://www.skivsamlingen.se/profile.php?id=37
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It looks as though my replacement disc has shipped ,,, thanks. I would have to say that even though 11/9 is a little less stellar than the next 2 nights, there are some surprises there. For instance, Don't Ease Me In was a big surprise. I really do not like that song, but it is one heck of a good jam. Greg SC
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I just want to say that I've been able to listen to all 9 discs over the course of two days, I really enjoy the experience of being with the band for an extended period of time. You get such a better feel of where they are coming from, and begin to see the experience not just as one show but one place. Anyway, thank you again for the new releases. Please keep them coming....and of course I have to ask for a new DVD release again.
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I just got mine and Bertha has some issues - too bad but they tell me a new disc 2 is on the way. Playing in the Band on this disc is sweet. The customs guys at the Canadian border didn't get me for duties 'suckers' Thanks to GDM for the quick response......................................
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My Bertha skipped all over when I played it. It is quite a full CD and being the last track Bertha is right on the outside edge. Looking closely I saw a small machining error on the edge of the CD, a tiny tag of plastic sticking out. I removed it with some tweezers, gave the CD a good clean and hey presto it worked fine. Might be worth a try..but at your own risk of course :-)
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Bertha:Just listen to those tasty fills Jerry throws in between each line of verse... --------------------------------- I'm not Beethoven
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I got mine!!! I would recommend it to ANYONE who is not sure if you want to fork out the 100+ bucks for the cds and shipping it is WAY WORTH IT!!! THE ARTWORK IS INCREDIBLE! And the music is just as good as everyone says... I agree the sound quality is not THE BEST, but the BEST I EVER heard for a two-track recording and MUCH better then the ones I had of the 9 and 11 show (Audience recordings)!!! This is a DEFINITE GEM of a run.. I'd buy it all over if I had it to do over!!!! Just DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON QUICK SHIPPING, IT DOESN'T get there ANY FASTER! I PAID FOR OVERNIGHT GOT IT IN 5 DAYS..... SO I just want to let all of ya know that it is POINTLESS to pay for over night because they don't ship it for at least a few days after you order it anyways and it didn't even come overnight, they mailed it 2 night delivery (*PROB. took the rest for their "FEES") God I LOVE it when HUGE companies have complete control of the Grateful Deads Vault..Yeah right) (LOL YEAH AND I LOVE GW BUSH AS WELL.LOL HAHAHAHA LOL NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)Peace to all my friends/Former lovers/tour partners,one night stands:-), and all the many bands i formed after meeting people at dead shows!!! ! and PEACE to all else out there in the DEADHEAD NATION!!! Cosmic Travelers - Gypsy Blue Tshirts, Glass, something 4 U!
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Haven't picked up the package yet but it will cost me an additional $39,16 to do so ... but it could've been even more, if the USD had been as much as it was when the $111,49 was drawn from my account. So about 150 bucks the records will have cost me in the end ... I do hope it will be worth it ... I'm on the way to the post office any minute now ... Micke Östlund Växjö, Sweden
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LOL Check it out... I just noticed this morning that the creepy alligator is wearing a "Hello Kitty Cat Sunflower" T shirt... LOL --------------------------------- I'm not Beethoven
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16 years 8 months
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i think it's a bit ridiculous that people have gotten this overseas before i got it from the post office. wtf?
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The box finally arrived in Ireland! And what a box it is, I am very impressed!Excellent Artwork, Mix, Sound, Price....there is nothing to complain about, lads! Thanks soooo much, I Love it!!!
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yesterday i finally put my hands on the precious parcel.. and precious is the word because the Italian post and customs scalped me other 35$..... went cold turkey to upload on my pc the infamous Bertha of the infamous second disc...so please Rhino guys over there avoid these sick jokes next time.. after several try outs and cold sweats I did the upload what else can I say, the Mix is terrific sounds like from a multitrack, the package is luxurious, the emotion of conceputal continuity can't be compared... keep up the good work. the dead badge took me back to another era!
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send email to Casson (casson dot kauffman at iventa dot com) and she will quickly find out wtf and fix it, if history is any indicator.
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I love, love love this box and the extras. It IS just exactly perfect. Sounds great and was totally worth waiting for!alta
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The set arrived today and all I can say is that I need a Grateful Dead-vacation to take it all in! Sound is brilliant! The Music is magic! It´s really incredible that you get to hear new stuff every year, with new releases ...and it just stays...soo good!
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Just a little confused, Ive got a defective disc 2. Who do I talk To, do I go through customer services or direct to casson ? and is there any difference?cheers /
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I think it winds up with her either way, but in my experience the direct path is best.
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"Outside of a dog a book is a man`s best friend. Inside of a dog it`s too dark to read."Groucho Marx.
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Thanks a lot,I`ll do that. I love this set, Music does`nt get much better than this does it? maybe we will get a lyceum 72 set next year? pretty please? sugar on top?
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I too, had a defective CD 2, I e-mailed customer service and they took good care of me and sent me a replacement. I just loaded it to my Mac, Bertha played well, no skips or pops. I did not pay anything for this. I simply asked for another one. You can too. Keep jamming America. Coconut Phil, living Free.
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Ramble On Rose:Phil drops a bomb that will rattle your molars... El Paso: Jerry is ripping notes that just positively drip off his fretboard... sweet golden gobules of gooey goodness... --------------------------------- I'm not Beethoven
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So much for the first show being lacklustre. I think it's great. I agree with what's in the liner, i.e. that there aren't many incredible moments and there isn't a lot far out jamming but that means it's a show of really well played songs instead. It's the Dead showing off their repertoire. Some highlights for me - * Me And My Uncle * Bob Weir's playing in the China> Rider jam * WRS> Eyes> China Doll is just beautiful. If this is the warm up for the next two nights, I must be in for a real treat. Can't wait to get onto the second show this weekend. Also, the sound is wonderful. In my opinion, it puts the sound on Download Series Vol. 8 to shame, although I haven't really gotten into that release. I bought it as "revision" for the Winterland box set but it hasn't grabbed me (yet).
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drchampagnedrchampagneI attended all of these shows & vaguely recalled how very lovely they were played. This collection confirms my tattered recollection that we were indeed in the presence of brilliance. They seemed to be approaching all of their shows in this era with the idea that perfection was attainable at any moment & for sustained periods. These documents contain many such moments as every song at every turn seems imbued with its own sense of importance & no detail is overlooked in the execution. Much of the material is in its infancy & is being rendered letter perfect as opposed to future renditions of the same tune played to greater length & more forcefully as they, their confidence & their music evolved. The recording on these 3 evenings is remarkable as an accurate document of what it actually sounded like in that building of buildings--the seminal rock-palace. The volume levels & tones indicate the fastidious effort put forth by musicians & crew to ensure a pristine result. Much of it is rocking to blistering effect! If there was ever a period in this band's checkered history when everything was as close to "just exactly perfect" as we & they could hope for, this is probably the epicenter of their realizing perfection was within their grasp. & we were biting down on it hook, line & sinker! Check the richly deserved thundering ovations after many of these benchmark versions of defining material. As breathtaking as they wanted to be & as we could want them to be.
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mr vootieA question for the "powers that be". Can you decide on a format for labeling the cd's when you release the live stuff? It seems that in both the DP series as well as WInterland boxes, the individual cds all have different labeling some starting with the dates, some with DP, some with GD etc. It makes it weird when you archive into ITUNES etc. Small complaint, but we like to keep things in order! tom
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I too have noticed this in Itunes, a universal style would be well received by us mac freaks who love to jam. Coconut Phil, living Free.
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I've received my box today (I live in Argentina) and I´m just starting to listen to it. Very few complaints about the packaging (in fact, only one: I don´t like the cardboard envelope-type sleeves to store cd's), but anyway, who really cares about it. After all, what should be taken into account is the music played. As I write this, the Dead are playing first night`s "I Know You Rider" and I can tell you for sure I am not being let down. 1973 was definitely a peak year in the group's history. The sound quality, as it has been stated before, is superb. For moments it´s hard to believe that it is a 2-track recording. It sounds really better than other 2-tracks from that year (found in some Dick`s Picks volumes, which by the way I love no in spite some sound anomalies). The main problem with these recordings sound quality regards vocals, which sound tinny adn thin due to the kind of phase-cancellation mics the band was using. But anyway these discs (or at least the first one in the set as far as I'm concerned) sound live and freaking alive, mark my word. What can I say? Peak Dead era, superb sound quality. Enjoy and let there be songs to fill the air!
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To the head who didn't like the new covers you have a point. they should have sleeves, because no matter how careful you are if you play these often they will get scratched. I put them in sleeves. The next point is an old one but I'll put my 2 cents in. The only time something short of a whole show should be released is when there is a serious problem. I forget which DP it was but they cut Cosmic Charlie, I was pissed until I listened to my tape.. it was God awful. Comps don't make it.One final whine or should I say response to many whines. Forget reissuing the Fillmore Box, what part of ltd. edition don't you get. Since I have no doubt that you could get someone to burn it for you it really isn't "about the music " is it, you want the nice package.Well let me help you contrary to marxist theory(sitting in that historical dustbin) value is not the labor+materials=worth. Otherwise I'm sure if you were one of the lucky ones to get a New Years Eve Ticket you'd be happy to sell it for face value or let in so many extra people you couldn't breath, 'nuff said
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After posting about my defective disc 2, I wanted to come back and post a follow up. I received my replacement disc at no cost and this disc plays/copies perfectly - no error correction on the last track at all. Thanks for correcting this problem so quickly and I look forward to the next box set.
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sure its beautiful and everything, but these damn paper sleeves they keep using just destroy discs. Not to mention that you practically have to tear them to get the disc out. and printing the handwritten setlists on the inside. are we supposed to tear them open just to see that or what? these might be the coolest cds i've ever seen in my life though, very cool. cheap but beautiful packaging aside. i can't wait for this weekend to sit on the porch and crank through these discs. it should have been packaged more along the lines of the 69 fillmore west box. its better for the cds, and that's truly all i care about, because they hold the key.
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Thank you ! A decent release. The whole ROAD TRIPS concept is a poor one. I would like to see more complete run releases or at least complete show releases. I would also like to see Dick's Pick's brought back to life. The Rhino releases and ROAD TRIPS stuff aint cuttin' it.

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I've got an idea for a vault release.......how about the three shows played in 1975 other than American Music Hall? Since Kezar 3/23 would only be a one-discer (though it's arguably my favorite Dead performance ever), it would probably only be a 6 or 7 disc box at most. Yes, I'm one of the lucky ones that already has an officially released copy of 3/23 via the Beyond Description bonus disc, but it deserves more widespread distribution (and I still need Johnny B. Goode!) Perhaps a bonus disc could be rehearsals for the 8/15 show (of which a few nuggets have trickled out, including the Godchauxs' "Showboat" on said B.D. bonus disc, which I think is great~ quite unlike anything else the band ever played on)....maybe augmented by a few more Blues for Allah studio tidbits (early noodlings on Lazy Lightning, perhaps?) I understand such a release might be a cult item even within THIS community. But there's my suggestion anyway. Meanwhile, after much internal debate (really more about when than if, if I'm being honest with myself), finally ordering this one. Can't wait. The Earth will see you on through this time......
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That sounds pretty good. I do like this Winterland release, but I also like the Road Trips concept. Only I am not overly happy with the Road Trips selections thus far. I think there must be far better recordings to glean from (including the bonus discs, I can only count 2 really good cd's (discs) released in the Road Trips series. As for Kezar '75, since that was a radio broadcast, there is a real quality Johnny B. Goode out there to finish up the show. I have it. But also, the show (with the exeption of Johnny B. Goode), was put out there in the taper's section (before they locked up the downloadiing of those snippets). I have that, as well. But definitely an official release of that and all of '75 would make a great Vault Release. Greg SC
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Wanted to wait until I was able to give all three shows two good listens before posting. Let me just say that this is what it's all about (for me, anyway) and these discs are worth every penny. This is a chance to go back in time and hear three straight nights of ALL of what the GD was doing at the time. This is really the perfect idea for releasing GD music. (Yes, most of us have tapes or other recordings of entire runs but the sound quality here is great--a lot better than anything I have.)My order came promptly--ordered it on a Sunday got it on Friday. The packaging is generally not that important to me but I have to admit this is really put together well and I was suprised how much I liked it once it was in my hands. My one complaint is the much talked about cardboard sleeves. I actually ripped one a little pulling out a disc. Let's hope they correct this for future releases. As for the bonus disc, I forgot all about it until I'd been through all three shows twice. It's worth having but not essential to this box. Do not pass up this release just because you missed out on the bonus disc--trust me on this! Finally, my original thought was that $100+ was too pricey to do more than once a year. After receiving this release, though, I might find a way to scrape up the money twice a year if given the opportunity.
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I have to say that this is easily one of the best box sets ever. Its just to bad that when they remastered it that Donna's screaming couldnt be removed. I cringe everytime I listen to Playin' and she starts wailing like she is getting murdered or something. There are a few other songs that pretty much get ruined by her screaming also. During "Greatest Story" it seems like she is purposly trying to sing louder than Bob which just makes me just want to skip the song. What the hell was the band thinking when they allowed her to join?
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Just another tweak for the price discussers....here's the price from 2 years ago...when the package was available for a day, then pulled..... Dear xxxxxxxxx, Thank you for ordering from the Grateful Dead Official Store. Your customer number is xxxxxxxxxxx. Your order number is xxxxxxxxx and is being processed. Customer Name: xxxxxxxxx Customer Number: xxxxxxxxx Ship Method: USPS MMSP Payments: Credit Card Type: xxxx Expiration Date: x/xxxx CC# (last 4 digits): xxxx Authorization Code: xxxxxx Authorization Amount: $77.29 Qty - Extended Price - Sku/Item Description 1 - $69.95 - DECD307/PREORDER Winterland 1973 Box Set 1 - $.00 - DECD308/PREORDER Winterland 1973 Bonus CD [Cinci '73] Order Total: $77.29 The charge will appear on your credit card statement as GratefulDead xxxxxxxxxxxx. Thank you, Customer Service Grateful Dead Official Store
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I ordered this set on Thursday, April 24 and received it Monday, April 28. According to the invoice, I paid $8.50 in shipping. According to the postage meter, it cost $7.50 to ship. I've heard people complain about shipping costs but this seems like a pretty good deal to me. I'm in the middle of 11/10 right now so I can't comment on the entire set yet, but so far the sound is nice and I really enjoyed the very natural transition between Let it Grow and Eyes on the third disk of 11/9. I'm looking forward to this big meaty Playin' sandwich coming up here soon. The packaging and the disk art is beautiful but doesn't offer much protection for the disks themselves. The button was a nice surprise. Thanks
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This is an excellent production, delivering a better calibrated version of Grateful Dead than Dick's Picks in its full show mode or the "highlights" approach of tour coverage like Steppin Out or the recent Road Trips releases. Only the '69 Fillmore West box rivals this as a document. The sonics reproduction is a tribute to the skills of everybody involved. The band plays at the top of its game throughout. I agree that the packaging, while very well executed, could offer better protection for the discs. Maybe the assumption is that everyone burns them to an ipod and listens from there these days but that is certainly not the way I operate. My wife and I were listening to the 9 November Black Throated Wind while playing canasta when she popped a question that, amazingly, has not come up before: "Haven't you got this song on another album?" "Ummm, yes, I believe I do," I replied, mumbled something about how each version is different and quickly played a juicy discard to distract her. The conversation luckily did not turn to how many versions of Black Throated Wind I actually do have. But it does raise the question of how much Grateful Dead music is enough. On the evidence of this box, we don't have to worry for a good while yet. Winterland '73 easily keeps rank with the top notch Grateful Dead releases. And just in this thread there are probably enough suggestions to keep up a stream of high quality whole run releases for years to come. Any support for Winterland '78? Happy Trails
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These three shows are outstanding. From the New Year's show (12.31.71) to countless others, including the one of 'final' shows in October, 1974, Winterland has always been my favorite venue. My first show in 1970 and still listening 38 years later - amazing!