Spring 1990, Volume One Box

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August 8, 2012 - 10:43am

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jq171(document).ready(function (jq171) { jq171("h2.product_title").each(function(){ var title = jq171(this); var new_title = title.text().replace(' - SOLD OUT', ''); title.text(new_title); }); var covertArtDownloadMarkup = 'Looking for the digital cover art? You can download it here.'; setTimeout(function() { jq171('#digital_cart').append(covertArtDownloadMarkup); }, 500); });
What's Inside:
• 60 page hardcover Smyth-Sewn book featuring essays by Dennis McNally, David Lemieux, and Blair Jackson and photos by Jim Anderson & Mike Laurentis
• 25th Anniversary Tour Program
• Official Band Letters
• 6 Ticket Stubs
• 6 Cloth Sticker Backstage Passes
• 1 Tour Laminate
• Official 1990 Band publicity shot
• 6 complete shows on 18 discs
      • 3/16/90 Capital Center, Landover, MD
      • 3/19/90 Civic Center, Hartford, CT
      • 3/22/90 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON, Canada
      • 3/26/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY
      • 3/30/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
      • 4/2/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA

Box Dimensions: 12-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 12-1/8"
Recorded and Mixed Live by John Cutler
Mastered by Jeffrey Norman in HDCD
Original art by Wes Lang
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 9,000

Introducing The Next Box: Spring 1990!

And now for something a little different. This year's box set - Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 - offers six complete shows from the epic spring '90 tour, one concert from each city the band played, personally selected by Dead vaultmeister and archival release producer David Lemieux. The sizzling six are: 3/16/90 Capital Centre (Landover , MD), 3/19/90 Hartford Civic Center, 3/22/90 Copps Coliseum (Hamilton, Ontario), 3/26/90 Knickerbocker Arena (Albany, NY), 3/30/90 Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) and 4/2/90 The Omni (Atlanta, GA).

In his "Producer's Note" in the beautiful book that is part of the box, Lemieux, who attended the first 10 shows on the tour, states, "To my ears this was the last tour that was consistently great, where every show is excellent, not a dud in the bunch." And Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally's comprehensive and informative insider's essay in the box is titled "The Last Great Dead Tour." These guys know what they're talking about.

Basically, the band had been on an upward trajectory since Garcia's return to the road in the spring of '87, following his near-death the previous summer. Of course, 1987 was a trip in itself, what with the unexpected mega-success of In the Dark and their first hit single, "Touch of Grey." But the momentum just kept building with each subsequent tour, as Garcia got back up to full speed (and then some!) and the group as a whole was as unified as they had ever been since Brent joined the band in the spring of '79. New original tunes were popping up and the old favorites were imbued with a freshness and spirit that was so uplifting and inspiring. The band was having fun again, and it was downright infectious.

The group's fall 1989 shows-as documented two years ago on the Formerly the Warlocks box (two shows from Hampton, VA, 10/8-9/89) and on the 2001 release Nightfall of Diamonds (a single night in NJ, 10/16/89)- kicked the energy level up another couple of notches, as the band reintroduced such loved classics as "Help on the Way" > "Slipknot!," "Attics of My Life," "Death Don't Have No Mercy" and "Dark Star."

And when the band hit the road in mid-March 1990, they had a bunch of other cool tunes to lay on their unsuspecting crowds, including the return of "Loose Lucy" (last played in 1974; it's not on this box), Brent's "Easy to Love You" (missing since 1980), a rollicking cover of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time," The Band's "The Weight" (with all four singers taking a verse each) and a lyrically retooled "Black-Throated Wind" (absent since 1974), which elicited huge cheers every time it was played.

Over these six shows, most of the cornerstones of the Dead's repertoire from the era appear-splendid versions of "Scarlet Begonias" > "Fire on the Mountain," "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," "Playing in the Band," "Uncle John's Band," "Eyes of the World," "Estimated Prophet," "Truckin'," "Sugar Magnolia," "The Other One," "Terrapin," "Stella Blue," "Feel Like a Stranger," "Bird Song," "Let It Grow," "China Doll," "Box of Rain," "Morning Dew"; you name it. From the fall '89 breakouts come "Help-Slip-Frank," "Attics of My Life" and "Death Don't Have No Mercy." Among the still newish tunes are "Picasso Moon," "Blow Away," "Foolish Heart," "Just a Little Light," "Victim or the Crime," "Standing on the Moon," "We Can Run" and a couple that would get their final plays from the Grateful Dead on this tour-"Built to Last" and "Believe It or Not." There are stirring renditions of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Black Muddy River," rockin' takes on "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Iko Iko" and the only version of the full "Hey Jude" the band attempted in the modern era. And the "Rhythm Devils" and "Space" jams at the heart of each second set are as noisy-beautiful-scary-funny-intense-mysterious-wild as you'd expect/hope for.

Of course, we understand that some of you may have other favorite shows from this tour you wish were included on this box. Really, you can't go wrong with any of them. But at 18 discs, this is still the second largest Grateful Dead box (after Europe '72: The Complete Recordings) that's been released, and the non-inclusion of any other shows from the tour definitely does not preclude their future release! But this seemed like a more manageable way to go, while still giving a sense of the tour's amazing depth and breadth.

Besides the discs themselves, Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 has much to offer, including: a gorgeous 60-page hardcover book containing copious color photos by Jim Anderson and Michael Laurentus, unique artwork by Brooklyn-based fine artist Wes Lang, fascinating business letters and communications related to the tour, a detailed historical essay by Dennis McNally, a Producer's Note by David Lemieux and individual show descriptions by Blair Jackson; a reproduction of the Dead's 1990 tour program (printed and sold later in '90, for the fall and Europe '90 tours); tickets and backstage passes of all six shows; a band publicity photo from 1990 by Ken Friedman; Dennis McNally's tour laminate; and reproductions of the colored 8x10 sheets GDTS sent out with hotel, food and other information for each city on the tour.

With recordings made by longtime Grateful Dead recordist and producer John Cutler, mastered by Jeffrey Norman in HDCD, you just know it's gonna sound great-and it does!

So, that's the skinny this time 'round. This box is limited to just 9,000 numbered copies - please note, this is the only time these shows will ever be officially available on CD. There will not be an All Music Edition and single shows will not be available physically. Due to ship out August 31st, we anticipate that this extraordinary set will sell-out, so order your copy today!

If you're looking for more of a bite-sized taste of the '90s, Spring 1990: So Glad You Made It, a 2-CD set featuring a handful of favorites, will be in stores on September 18th.

-Blair Jackson

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September 4, 2012 - 7:20am

#401

rbmunkin

Joined:
February 24, 2009

Quality

How would you answer my example in my first post about this:Do you seriously contend that Jerry isn't OBJECTIVELY a better guitarist than me? Comparing Van Gogh vs. Monet is much more difficult of course. I'm trying to make the point by using an absurd example, but a valid one. Personally I think we want to say quality is purely subjective because it's easier to say that. It's too difficult to show objective quality so we don't want to go there. But just because something is difficult doesn't mean it's not reality. This reminds me of the joke: A man is searching on the ground under a street lamp. Someone comes up and asks him if he lost something. He says yes, his keys. Did you lose them here? No, I lost them in the alley but it's too dark there. When looking for objective quality, one must look in the dark alley even though it's easier to see in the subjective lighted area.
September 3, 2012 - 11:38pm

#402

FootBear

Joined:
June 12, 2007

.

.
September 3, 2012 - 10:20pm

#403

antonjo

Joined:
June 4, 2007

that's back on topic?

Who got screwed out of their order is back on topic? Do tell, Footbear, who got screwed out of their order? What started out as a thread that was finally mostly about the music in the box has degenerated into another bile fest. Guess some people feel better having an audience. I'm about done with these boards, myself. Talk about disenchanted and disgusted...... Sheesh.
September 3, 2012 - 7:13pm

#404

Hoopsie

Joined:
January 5, 2012

Spring 1990

March 29, 1990 on VINYL, yes please.
September 3, 2012 - 7:10pm

#405

Hoopsie

Joined:
January 5, 2012

Spring 1990

In a vain effort to return the discussion to the excellent but somewhat inefficiently shipped box set -- I was only able to catch the boys from 85-95, so 89 and 90 stand out as the apex years, with Jerry sounding fresh and not so ragged and tired, and inspired ensemble playing. I am so glad to have this. It will be cherished for years. Wish I was able to catch 5-2-70, but I was still only 4! Geez, you people who were able to see these shows must be practically senior citizens by now! ;-) Now, if only they'd ship my replacement for the cracked Disc 3 of 3/16/90? See, I'm not bitter.
September 3, 2012 - 6:05pm

#406

Tanis Fane

Joined:
August 30, 2012

Quality _is_ subjective, no

Quality _is_ subjective, no matter how you describe it. The idea of one artist being more talented than another is subjective. Is Monet better than Van Gogh? Quality is, for most people, subjective to the price at bidding that has been established by people claiming authority to declare it such. Objectively, something is "good" or "bad" because it has been granted a more desirable status in a given framework. Social capital, if you will. You place great cultural capital in Jerry's playing and thus, for you, he is the best. The value I place on his playing, though high, is not as valuable for me as it is to you. I'd pay more for someone else. (Much as I value/love/geek-out-over the Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, VU is still, for me, minted from the most valuable coin music/art provides.) You are correct about my mis-attribution of the "bold"-ness, that was someone else calling it that. My mistake. :) But the comparison of Pigpen dying and the band continuing vs. Jerry dying and not continuing, isn't a fair one. The first, a member dies while everyone in the band is still under 30 years of age. When they're all around 50, another one dies after 30 years together. Economics and age played as much a role in that. And then, as you said and I agree, even when the "tribute" bands contained all members but Jerry, it wasn't the same. But neither was a JGB show anything like a GD concert. I'm not attempting to convince you, or anyone, to alter their opinions. You've made a great case as to JG being your favorite guitarist, and that is a valid opinion and reasoning you have. Declare one better than another when you reach a level of quality and performance between Clapton (whom I think is not as favorable as JJ Cale), Hendrix, Garcia, and let's say... Carlos Santana. Who is better? Depends on the night, the performance, the song. Ask most musicians, especially of an age to have seen a taster's choice of Great Guitarist, and Hendrix will, for good reason, be often cited as the best. I think Hendrix was a Beethoven-level musician. Making Garcia a Liszt-level guitarist, doesn't take anything away from him at all. Two entirely different styles, backgrounds, and intentions from each in what they attempted to do musically. Hendrix deliberately complicated his music as he progressed, while Garcia often spoke of enjoying simpler-constructions because it enabled the ability to freely improvise upon it. Personally, I think it's great that you are passionate about this. It's music, and musicians are people we turn to to share the most intimate aspects of our lives: when we're joyous, when we're depressed, when we're furious about blah, blah, or blah. I personally don't think of the ears of the Dead as one being better than another. Nothin' gets me goin' like a scorching rampage through The Eleven (which didn't happen after 70-71), but paring Scarlet & Fire couldn't have happened before 77. Terrapin is easily the most often played live song for me, but that's because there was only a single version of, and terribly recorded, Rosemary. Because they did what they did and continually evolved in their sound and performance, they've given us this huge palette from which we all, evidently, paint our own pictures of the past and what we want them to be for us, and some of these paintings we call masterpieces.
September 3, 2012 - 4:06pm

#407

rbmunkin

Joined:
February 24, 2009

subjective/objective

Quality is not purely subjective. No way to prove it to you in words. So I'll stop here. "And without the GD, Jerry wouldn’t be known outside of some audiophiliac music fiends." Nonsense! He was a musician extraordinare and his passion would move him toward notoriety one way or another. He didn't need the Dead, he CREATED the Dead. And he would have done something no matter who he worked with. Hunter and Garcia met completely independent of the Dead. "Jerry without the Dead mostly likely wouldn’t have had Hunter as a song-writing partner, thus none of these songs would have come about." Of course the same exact songs wouldn't have come about, but I certainly wouldn't have cared. All I would care about is hearing Jerry, no matter what he did, because he was GREAT and would have been no matter what. "Favorites are favorites for damn good reasons. But yours are no more objectively the best than mine," I never said that. I said art is not just subjective; that there is an objective component. I never said MY likes were any more objective than any one else's. "You can congratulate yourself all you want for “bold statements” (Jerry is the greatest guitarist is hardly a bold statement on Dead.net." I didn't call it "bold". Another poster did. Anyway, we can agree to disagree. At least we agree about Donna! One more thing: With all the personell changes, the Grateful Dead were great, even after losing Pigpen, and all the other keyboardist they lost, as well as when Mickey was gone. Then when Jerry was gone - poof. No good any more. They didn't continue because they couldn't. But anyone else they lost Jerry could have kept the band going. The post Jerry band called "The Dead" and then "Further"; I'm sorry but they sucked compared to the Grateful Dead. Jerry made the GD, he was the GD, and could have created a great band with any good musicians.
September 3, 2012 - 3:03pm

#408

Tanis Fane

Joined:
August 30, 2012

Opinions are still subjective

So, RBMunkin, In the spirit of analytic debate, he's a response contrary to a number of your "bold" statements. Your analyzing note-by-note and what-have-you, doesn’t mark you as any less subjective than Best Of polls by whomever. Your liking Jerry's guitar work better than anyone else's is one thing, but no matter how much note-by-note comparisons you make, it doesn’t elevate your opinion to the level of objective. “Without Jerry the phenomenon of the Grateful Dead never would have gotten past small clubs if that.” And without the GD, Jerry wouldn’t be known outside of some audiophiliac music fiends. Considering they all talked about how essential each one of them was to the whole, and based their entire musical philosophy around that, you’re deconstructing the Dead is a great theoretic exercise, but one that misunderstands the overall point of the collective being more important aurally than the individual components. “Robert Hunter was a great poet. He's my second favorite Dead.” Absolutely a great poet. Also one who likely would have never written with Jerry without the GD. Hunter knew Kesey from the Menlo Park research. Kesey knew the Dead through Owsley. The Dead played through the Acid Tests. Without that connection, probably no song-writing team of Hunter/Garcia. “Phil was a great musician in many ways but never would have gotten so popular without Jerry.” Maybe. Is Brian Eno “popular”? Is John Cale? Robert Fripp? Phil would have likely progressed along those experimental lines without the GD. “Bob, meh. Very good rhythm guitarist, taught largely by Jerry. Vocals, song writing, and personality - not my cup of tea. He was always jealous of Jerry being the front man. He wanted to be the front man but just plain old didn't have the talent or personality.” Did he now? Good to know. I never thought he was a great guitar player, nor a great song writer, but he did pen the music of Sugar Mag, Looks Like Rain, and belt out a mean Minglewood. GD wouldn’t have been without this finger on the hand. “Drummers - very good but the Dead could have gone on with different ones.” And the sound of “rolling thunder” wouldn’t be. Thus, no Dead as we know it. No Scarlet>Fire, no PITB. “Keyboards - Pigpen was the only GREAT one.”  Not so. But you can believe that all you wish. Pigpen had charisma and was a “stone jack baller and his heart was true” but he couldn’t play piano very well. He blew a mean nasty dirty mouth harp, but his musical ability didn’t span a great spectrum. Keith was quite proficient on piano but limited on organ and the encroaching diversity and array of keyboards. Any discussion of Brent is for another time. “Donna - OMG why was she ever in the Dead?! Just horrible. Sounded like a bag full of cats being hit with a bat. Okay on a couple of studio albums but ruined many a live concert recording.” I agree, but then there a couple of Eyes of the World and Sugar Mag she doesn’t sound bad on. I usually skip tunes if she gets gonna too much. Jerry without the Dead mostly likely wouldn’t have had Hunter as a song-writing partner, thus none of these songs would have come about. Talented as he was, he would likely have been a bit like Ry Cooder, Al Di Meola, and such ilk. Infinitely talented and diverse, but without a band, they go through the ages being treasured by a few, liked by some more, and unknown to most. As for “Hendrix to me was a bit one-sided. The overall sound always sounded a bit the same. Absolutely amazing but limited IMHO” … I think your lack of analyses is demonstrated lacking here. Y’know, cuz 1983 sounds sooooo much like Purple Haze. And Jimi with a 12-string acoustic is the same one-sided sound as when slaughtered ear drums at Monterey with the opening riff of Killing Floor. Favorites are favorites for damn good reasons. But yours are no more objectively the best than mine, VH-1s, or Rolling Stones polls from readers who can’t remember back any further than last summer’s hot thing. You can congratulate yourself all you want for “bold statements” (Jerry is the greatest guitarist is hardly a bold statement on Dead.net. And your argument lacks anything beyond your talk of how awesome you feel when you listen to him play. He’s great. But talk of the “best” is beyond the faculties at hand. Or… ehem… ear. P.S. If anyone is interested in might-have-beens with music, check out a novel called Glimpses by Lewis Shiner. A guy puts on his headphones and hears records by his favorite bands that never were: a Doors album post-LA Woman, Beach Boys beyond Brian Wilson's mental collapse, another Beatles record... that kind of thing.
September 3, 2012 - 2:57pm

#409

streetvan1997

Joined:
September 16, 2009

Also, if you know they are going to sell out so fast make more!

I don't have much money at all in this point in my life and it really stinks I can't take advantage of items like this. But all the T shirts are sold out and all the box sets. Is it fans or people who are going to sell them on eBay?
September 3, 2012 - 2:50pm

#410

streetvan1997

Joined:
September 16, 2009

Also where's 3-29-90!!

Isn't that the Bradford Marcalis show? Did I butcher his last names spelling . The eyes of the works from that 3-29 is so sick, but I think it's on Dozin at the Nick

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

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What's Inside:
• 60 page hardcover Smyth-Sewn book featuring essays by Dennis McNally, David Lemieux, and Blair Jackson and photos by Jim Anderson & Mike Laurentis
• 25th Anniversary Tour Program
• Official Band Letters
• 6 Ticket Stubs
• 6 Cloth Sticker Backstage Passes
• 1 Tour Laminate
• Official 1990 Band publicity shot
• 6 complete shows on 18 discs
      • 3/16/90 Capital Center, Landover, MD
      • 3/19/90 Civic Center, Hartford, CT
      • 3/22/90 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, ON, Canada
      • 3/26/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY
      • 3/30/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
      • 4/2/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA

Box Dimensions: 12-1/8" x 3-1/8" x 12-1/8"
Recorded and Mixed Live by John Cutler
Mastered by Jeffrey Norman in HDCD
Original art by Wes Lang
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 9,000

Introducing The Next Box: Spring 1990!

And now for something a little different. This year's box set - Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 - offers six complete shows from the epic spring '90 tour, one concert from each city the band played, personally selected by Dead vaultmeister and archival release producer David Lemieux. The sizzling six are: 3/16/90 Capital Centre (Landover , MD), 3/19/90 Hartford Civic Center, 3/22/90 Copps Coliseum (Hamilton, Ontario), 3/26/90 Knickerbocker Arena (Albany, NY), 3/30/90 Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) and 4/2/90 The Omni (Atlanta, GA).

In his "Producer's Note" in the beautiful book that is part of the box, Lemieux, who attended the first 10 shows on the tour, states, "To my ears this was the last tour that was consistently great, where every show is excellent, not a dud in the bunch." And Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally's comprehensive and informative insider's essay in the box is titled "The Last Great Dead Tour." These guys know what they're talking about.

Basically, the band had been on an upward trajectory since Garcia's return to the road in the spring of '87, following his near-death the previous summer. Of course, 1987 was a trip in itself, what with the unexpected mega-success of In the Dark and their first hit single, "Touch of Grey." But the momentum just kept building with each subsequent tour, as Garcia got back up to full speed (and then some!) and the group as a whole was as unified as they had ever been since Brent joined the band in the spring of '79. New original tunes were popping up and the old favorites were imbued with a freshness and spirit that was so uplifting and inspiring. The band was having fun again, and it was downright infectious.

The group's fall 1989 shows-as documented two years ago on the Formerly the Warlocks box (two shows from Hampton, VA, 10/8-9/89) and on the 2001 release Nightfall of Diamonds (a single night in NJ, 10/16/89)- kicked the energy level up another couple of notches, as the band reintroduced such loved classics as "Help on the Way" > "Slipknot!," "Attics of My Life," "Death Don't Have No Mercy" and "Dark Star."

And when the band hit the road in mid-March 1990, they had a bunch of other cool tunes to lay on their unsuspecting crowds, including the return of "Loose Lucy" (last played in 1974; it's not on this box), Brent's "Easy to Love You" (missing since 1980), a rollicking cover of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time," The Band's "The Weight" (with all four singers taking a verse each) and a lyrically retooled "Black-Throated Wind" (absent since 1974), which elicited huge cheers every time it was played.

Over these six shows, most of the cornerstones of the Dead's repertoire from the era appear-splendid versions of "Scarlet Begonias" > "Fire on the Mountain," "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," "Playing in the Band," "Uncle John's Band," "Eyes of the World," "Estimated Prophet," "Truckin'," "Sugar Magnolia," "The Other One," "Terrapin," "Stella Blue," "Feel Like a Stranger," "Bird Song," "Let It Grow," "China Doll," "Box of Rain," "Morning Dew"; you name it. From the fall '89 breakouts come "Help-Slip-Frank," "Attics of My Life" and "Death Don't Have No Mercy." Among the still newish tunes are "Picasso Moon," "Blow Away," "Foolish Heart," "Just a Little Light," "Victim or the Crime," "Standing on the Moon," "We Can Run" and a couple that would get their final plays from the Grateful Dead on this tour-"Built to Last" and "Believe It or Not." There are stirring renditions of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Black Muddy River," rockin' takes on "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Iko Iko" and the only version of the full "Hey Jude" the band attempted in the modern era. And the "Rhythm Devils" and "Space" jams at the heart of each second set are as noisy-beautiful-scary-funny-intense-mysterious-wild as you'd expect/hope for.

Of course, we understand that some of you may have other favorite shows from this tour you wish were included on this box. Really, you can't go wrong with any of them. But at 18 discs, this is still the second largest Grateful Dead box (after Europe '72: The Complete Recordings) that's been released, and the non-inclusion of any other shows from the tour definitely does not preclude their future release! But this seemed like a more manageable way to go, while still giving a sense of the tour's amazing depth and breadth.

Besides the discs themselves, Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 has much to offer, including: a gorgeous 60-page hardcover book containing copious color photos by Jim Anderson and Michael Laurentus, unique artwork by Brooklyn-based fine artist Wes Lang, fascinating business letters and communications related to the tour, a detailed historical essay by Dennis McNally, a Producer's Note by David Lemieux and individual show descriptions by Blair Jackson; a reproduction of the Dead's 1990 tour program (printed and sold later in '90, for the fall and Europe '90 tours); tickets and backstage passes of all six shows; a band publicity photo from 1990 by Ken Friedman; Dennis McNally's tour laminate; and reproductions of the colored 8x10 sheets GDTS sent out with hotel, food and other information for each city on the tour.

With recordings made by longtime Grateful Dead recordist and producer John Cutler, mastered by Jeffrey Norman in HDCD, you just know it's gonna sound great-and it does!

So, that's the skinny this time 'round. This box is limited to just 9,000 numbered copies - please note, this is the only time these shows will ever be officially available on CD. There will not be an All Music Edition and single shows will not be available physically. Due to ship out August 31st, we anticipate that this extraordinary set will sell-out, so order your copy today!

If you're looking for more of a bite-sized taste of the '90s, Spring 1990: So Glad You Made It, a 2-CD set featuring a handful of favorites, will be in stores on September 18th.

-Blair Jackson

A roll of the dice...

Could have take all the time in the world and been as careful as one could be and still screw up the down-mix of these multi-track recordings. When down-mixing the multi-track recordings please mix them as to preserve the feel of the live show. Thank you.

Whining!

The steaming audio sounds FANTASTIC, so it's really disappointing to see all of this whining about which tapes they used or didn't use. Consider these points: 1. How many bands even have the ability, desire, dedication (no pun intended) to CONTINUE to offer live shows from 20+ years ago? VERY FEW!. Yes, there's profit involved. Welcome to the real world. Stop for a few minutes and really look at the catalog of live shows that are available - it's unparalleled anywhere. 2. They're going to try to produce the best product they can because they're professionals AND because it's good business. 3. Grow up! If you don't like the way they sound, then don't buy them. I am CERTAIN that it won't hurt anyone's feelings

It's

It's only "taper friendly" if you use the source tapes *I* think you should have used, and even then only if you mix them the way *I* think sounds best. Anything else is just worship of Mammon. Of course if you do it my way, you'll raise the price. And that's just worship of Mammon. What happened to love of the music? [/entitled Deadhead]

thoughts

I can't help but think while reading some of the incessent posts full of 'wants' and 'demands' that this is revealing the underbelly of addiction...Alot of these posters need to calm it down and breath. If we were all as particular with real aspects of our internal lives as we are with our 'wants' we'd be making major breakthroughs. Music is supposed to enhance your life.

Dead community

It does have to make one laugh!. Here we have our most favorite band, putting out a plethora of quality shows & music, and still the complaints rain down. NO OTHER GROUP even attempts to do what the Dead do. I have a friend who is a Stones fan and he is always complaining about the lack of live shows that are "officially" available. The Dead continue to surprise & amaze me with the quality shows they offer from all time areas. It is just awesome! You can take what you want and leave the rest. There will be more coming all the time. I am very happy to de a Dead Head and will always be thankful for what is available now and what will be available in the future. I do not have enought hours in the day to listen to what I already have but I am always up for more! Go DL! Keep them comong.

Releases

Spring 1990!! Awesome! Look, here's the deal: i will purchase and gladly enjoy any releases from 1965 - 1995. That's all there is to it. We get multiple releases and a box set every year, that's insane! My worst fear is that i wake up one day and they announce the final release they ever plan to release. Lucky for us, I don't see that happening anytime soon. We have enough to worry about in day to day life, don;t worry about the music too! Just enjoy it. My kids can't stand when a package shows up at our front door or in the mailbox with a return label from California, they know that brand new grateful dead music will be gracing their ears on the way to school, on the way to soccer practice, on the way to basketball practice, on the way to hike on the AT, etc. They say "Don't you ever get tired of hearing the same thing over and over?!?!" And here's the catch: I never get tired of it. With multiple releases a year we are afforded the opportunity of constantly adding to our collection of shows. It is a true luxury to have! Dave: keep the picks coming, keep the videos coming, keep the box sets coming!! For every complaint you read i promise you there are ten more of us who greatly appreciate the time, effort, and dedication yall have displayed over the years. It will always be appreciated!! Folks, enjoy the music, it's hear to add to our lives as opposed to take away from our lives

Love yer comment Mat

Right on. Those are very sensible words, Whenever your having a bad day all you need to remember is that you reach into your stash of Rhino releases and come up with something that eases the head-ache of it all. How great is that?

Glad you love

The "steaming" audio, bluedognever. As somebody said pre-release, this product would be reviled! Too funny!

Yes, Rhino is reaping on this one

Because they took a hit on the last one (E72). No one should feel there is any altruism here. These are purely business decisions. It must be a businessman's dream to have a fan base which you can pull 1.8 million from any time of the year... Would there ever be over-saturation?

More on Audio - (See bluedognever's Earlier Post)

Hey, bluedognever: 1. True, the GD archival program is unparalleled. There's not even a close second. That is because this band uniquely speaks to a deep niche of listeners AND they were smart enough to record so much of their live work. Don't forget that no other band would attract this kind of dedication. We are the other half of this equation and we understandably expect to be treated like critical listeners. 2. Wrong. Rhino is NOT going to try to produce the "best" product. They have proven that conclusively. They are going to try to maximize profit, and that is to the detriment of any listener who cares about audio quality. The E72 box was rush-mixed and it sounds that way. Same with the Warlocks box. These are not the best audio that could have been produced, given the available sources. This new Spring 1990 box probably could be mixed better from the multi-tracks but Rhino won't allow a professional audio engineer the budget to do it. It is hard to believe that mixing this properly would put much of a dent in the $1.8M take. 3. Not buying is always an option, especially as the bar is lowered on audio quality. There is so much out there for free that sounds about as good as these latest releases that folks must be asking themselves why they are paying large sums of money for minor (if any) upgrade to audio quality. Tapers have always been interested in the best possible audio. We will settle for what we can get because we love the music. It is frustrating that top-notch sound quality is traded for higher profits.

OneMan

RE: point # 2 In all fairness, the mixing of the Europe '72 box ~ that would be the entire Europe '72 tour ~ came down to logistics. Jeffrey himself said from Day 1 in the interview posted on this site that there was no way he was going to be able to give every song/show/an entire tour the same care he did for, say, Rockin' At the Rhein or any single-show release. It would've taken five years, and is more, I think, than even the audiophiles among us could reasonably expect.

too much crap

How much for just the disks wrapped in brown cardboard? I want to buy this music, not the big pile of pseudo-memorabilia. Jeeez. Somebody's MBA marketing whiz is making everyone look like assh0les

A/B'ing Without a Net versus The Warlocks Box

After doing some comparisons between Feel Like a Stranger from these two releases, the immediate differences in the mixes I notice is that Jerry's guitar is hotter, Phils bass is punchier and has better definition and clarity and the drummers overheads and rides are hotter. The overall mix on the Warlocks Box sounds bigger. The drummers high hats are more noticeably prominant on Without a Net. Personally, I think they both sound great. Just different mixes. It's the same case with Althea in respect to Without a Net versus Terrapin Limited. I trust that this box will sound awesome. I just hope we don't have to wait too long to get the rest of the tour in another Spring '90 box.

17 euros for each cd

here in Europe and they are not even "multitracks"?wow! nice shot!

Complain, complain

LOL@"The E72 box was rush mixed and sounds that way." The set sounds great. It's the greatest collection of music ever released in one shot. Some people are never satisfied.

handjive, I must agree...

...I prefer the stripped down box sets like the Fillmore West and Winterland Complete. (which we need more of, namely 2-74 and 3-77) Especially if it'll bring the price down a bit. Extra pictures and a deluxe booklet is all I need along with the music - - definitely not 'replica' items. That said, I think I'll like the book.

Why is Phish so far ahead on the digital front?

Well, I got mine. But its tough for some of us to come up with $213 on little more than a few days notice. OK, overall, I get the limited edition CD thing. What I don't understand is why the Dead put so much stock in physical media. Maybe it made sense for E72. That was a beautiful box. But if you're going to offer a late-model, incomplete tour this way, why not offer a digital-only FLAC download for a lower price, so everyone can partake (on their own schedule)? For years, we've been able to buy every single Phish release (from the White Tape to Party Time) digitally via livephish.com. Phish clearly understands the way this thing is headed and they make it easy for their fans to have physical releases, or instant gratification. So why are the Dead stuck with a 20th century distribution model?

asked and answered

above, per David Lemieux.

Accidently Double Posted

I accidentally double posted. Powers that be feel free to delete this post.

Possible reasons there is no digital release for now

Reading the description it seems pretty obvious that at some point down the road they are planning to release this digitally. "This is the only time these shows will ever be officially available on CD" so the strong implication is that it will be released digitally at some point down the road. I don't know anything more than any of you but I believe there are probably a few reasons behind why they chose not to release the digital version at the same time. For one thing releasing them side by side decreases demand for the physical version and if they don't sell out quickly then they have the cost of storage, which is the same reasoning behind all of these "limited edition releases". Also when they do release it digitally, without the book or all the knick knacks, it will probably be at a cheaper price, so if that was concurrent it would further drive down demand. Then there is the issue of piracy. With a physical only release it takes more effort to make pirated copies online. It will still probably happen but I would guess they have figured that doing it this way they will cut down on the amount of piracy. Lastly, because of the Dead's earlier origins than Phish the overall demographic is older and the older the demographic the more you find physical medium purists. Plus, I think that when they did the digital download series and and the Road Trips digital stuff they didn't have as many sales as they were hoping for. Anyway that's what I speculate. Regardless of that stuff, I am very excited about this release and appreciate all the transparency and clarity about what we're getting and what's being released now and in the future.

In 8 days since this release

121 different people commented. About 100 positively. 23 people commented multiple times. Of those who commented multiple times, 3 people tied for the most comments with 7 each. The overall rating for response to this release is "lukewarm". Given the comments so far for DaPs, it is hard to understand this tepid attitude. So many people wanted something from the 80s or early 90s. I think this is in large part due to the price tag. It looks to be a long way to a sellout. I would think something like 90 days at least.

Very grateful

It may sound cliched, but I'm very grateful for this release, these will be nice upgrades as to what is in circulation. Can't believe this hasn't sold out yet, really thought it would sell out after two days..... Looking forward to this and the impending Dave's Picks Volume 4....

new box

I ordered this as soon as the announcement hit. I have been mmore than happy with sound qauulity on most of the past releases other than some of the eartl road trips keep them coming andd thank you David et al

Listen With Ears Please

Spacebrother, I don't know which organ you were using to listen to those mixes, but I find the ears work best. (The two holes on either side of the head where sound goes in.) The Warlocks box sounds like a mix by someone in the first semester of audio engineering school. The worst offense is that the vocals are often buried, especially Jerry's. There are many other imbalances, unpleasant dynamics, and the whole thing sounds harsh and very cold compared to any other multi-track mix released thus far. Compare this to the amazing job Jeff Norman did on the Movie Soundtrack. Even Phil and Owsley could not make a listenable mix from those tapes (hear Steal Your Face) yet JN worked wonders because he had the time (budget). That release sold (and still sells) for less than $12 per disc, about the same we are now paying for vastly inferior audio products. Compare also to Two From the Vault, where Dan Healy worked tirelessly to correct time smear by running each track through different delays, to re-focus the sound. This kind of effort will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN because we accept the rush jobs we are now fed with regularity. So no one cares. Too bad for people with ears.

Dave's Picks volume 3

I know this is off topic, but is anyone still waiting on Dave's Picks volume 3? I'm here in GA and it has not yet arrived. I am trying to gauge if anyone else out this way is still waiting on their copy as well. Thanks and have a good evening!

to matthrelkeld

what up,i'm here in pennsylvania and i too am still waiting.in fact i emailed customer service yesterday because i never had to wait this long.yes i know a few more days is not that much but have been ordering for 15years i know how long it usually takes.here is what customer service said,right from my email-Dear,Sam Your order was shipped on 7/30/12 please allow 12-14 business days to receive your order due it being shipped by usps and their is no tracking number,because the order is a lite package.Thank You Sincerely, Andre Customer Service Dead..Net 1- 800-225-3323 now that you have not received yours in georgia is i hope nothing more than coincidence.peace-though i don't believe in coincidences

To poetry

I literally got the exact same email from customer service today. Signed by Andre as well. I have been ordering for 10 years, I have ever once had an incident before. But like you said it usually takes 4-5 days. Every time, release after release. Good luck on yours, I'm hoping it is just taking a whole to get to the East Coast. I know the USPS is going under but come on now. Next time I will go with UPS for my releases

spring 1990 listen and look video

everyone has their opinion but for david lemieux to say the spring 90's are has good has the europe 72',fall 73' and spring 77' is just....wow.i would have to say that is a man trying to make some sales.now he did say-the best tours in grateful dead history,maybe he was there on all those tours and had a great time but as far as music goes-your own opinion or someone else's-no freakin way do they compare to the 90's.spring or any other time.wow david,really?

Dave's Picks Volume 3 Delivery

My copy of Dave's Picks Volume 3 hasn't arrived yet either and I'm in California. I'm in Los Angeles though, so I'm not worried. The package has to go all the way to So Cal, stop at some major sorting house bureaucracy, probably go from there to LA, more bureaucracy, then finally go out with the mailman making his rounds to my apartment building. Judging by Europe 72 things tend to arrive about a day or two after the first people get it on the east coast. @ Poetry: Go easy on Dave, Bobby said pretty much the same thing in his little promo interview video. There are probably more people whose favorite era is the 70's than anything else, but there are plenty of Deadheads who swear by the Brent era. And Brent is on fire here, just listen to the latest sample from 3/19/90. It may not be your favorite tour of all time, but they had already released a lot from 72, 73 and 77, and it makes sense for the first mega-box after E72 to be non-70's especially considering that Dave's Picks Volumes 1-3 are all from the 70s albeit very different eras of the 70's.

DavePick 3

For what it's worth, I'm in GA & I'm waiting to receive it as well.

This, That & the Other Thing...

As far as Dave's Picks vol.3, I'm still waiting for my copy here up by the Great Lakes as well. Hopefully tomorrow! @ One Man, until the day somebody invents a way to absorb this music through osmosis, I'm afraid that I am stuck listening to it with the two holes on the either side of my head. If the sound quality doesn't meet the criteria of your high standards, don't buy it and quit sniveling. To me, all of these releases sound great. Truckin' up to Buffalo, Crimson White and Indigo, the Warlocks Box, Nightfall of Diamonds, Terrapin Limited, Dozin' at the Knick and the Nassau Birdsong & Copps Scarlet >Fire blurbs on the So Many Roads set all sound top notch. I wonder if the demons Brent was dealing with, if in relation to the stigma of being "the new guy" is what had finally caught up to him? Whatever energy that inspired his playing over those last several was nothing short of phenominal.He went out at the top of his game. I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but it's interesting that, like the 7,200 steamer trunks for the E72 box, they chose to grace the Spring '90 Box with 9,000 units.

reply to sometimesagreatnotion

my comments have nothing to do with the release,i want to hear everything eventually also,60's,70's,80's,and 90's.release it all,just get rid of the bells and whistles IMO.it has to do with dave's statement which i feel is more on the business side of selling the box set and not a true feeling of his.of course we will never really know.if it had been a late 80's release would he have compared that tour to the ones he mentioned in the video.they were on fire during this time,brent and jerry had a good blend.i love the videos-view from the vault,the way jerry and brent feed off of oneanother.just like you said in your post,bobby said pretty much the same thing about when they were in their prime.im just questioning his statement.i hope he does really feel that way to be honest,who wants someone making statements like that based on trying to sell new releases.

4 posts of not receiving dp# 3

no such thing as coincidences! LOL

The Truth is out there!

I have been ordering stuff since late 89, back then it was cassete tapes, grateful four cds. i noticed1990 box didnt sell out in the record time inwhich europe 72 did. the winner is e72, sofar, i would like to see afull box release of april 1971, it would sell out, as far as comparing the era's of to eachother is pointless none are greter or lesser than eacother in my opion, i have been hooked ever since i bought touch of grey single on tape with brother esau, i want to hear it all so there are afew blemiched recordings sound quality isnt perfect . i went to 9 shows in the ninties and i enjoyed them all i dont compare or judge them they are what they are and i love them all, but to be able to go online and listen to those shows is invaluable i hope that ability never goes away unless they are officially realeased which is probally unlikly , i have enjoyed reading the comments hopefully mine can entertain too.PS. I Love the Grateful Dead

dp3

No DP3 in CT yet either. I was thinking the postals lost it but as a lot of you aren't receiving it i guess its just a general snafu of the mail. I have always chosen the cheap option and received it within 3-5 days in the past.

DaP3

Also not arrived in NC. Aside from the whole USPS question, I'm thinking that since the release sold out, it's shipping all at once...more or less. I'm imagining one guy with a stack of boxes on one side, a conveyor belt with CDs on the other, and a little routine like the "I Love Lucy" assembly line thing happening (sorry for the way-ancient TV show reference). It keeps me amused while I'm waiting.

got an email, 24 vs 2

After one year almost to the day, I Got an email from rhino saying, we are sorry and am now offering to replace your defective discs. Ha, I've heard that before, they just want to shut me up cause they know any bad publicity will cost them sales, which is what it is all about to them. I haven't replied to their vain attempt to appease me cause I can't and won't go thru all that again, I will just keep what I have and not deal with them. man, I'm so glad I waited for the reviews, this hasn't even been heard yet and we now know that it is not 24, it's 2. What a joke, they've got the master tapes in 24 track and they give us 2 track mix downs. Rhino, you are the worst example of American business practices ever. Hey everyone, this release isn't worth 20 bucks, well alone 200. A friend of mine asked me to go in with him so we could get this release, I laughed so hard at him and told him to just listen to the e72 discs and from those, determine if you are gonna get a quality product, after a few cuts, he reniged his offer and said "thanks" for making me listen. Too bad, too sad, rhino, I wish you had never been given such a gift, the dead vault, for you to shat on, and maybe soon your envolvement with the best music ever made will come to an end. Ripoff money grubbing capitalist, your karma will catch up to you and when it does, I hope I'm still around to see your demise.

dp 3

i'm in ny and dp3 hasn't arrived here either. jennifer c at customer service said 10 - 12 days delivery they used to be quicker

DP3

Don't suppose I should wait by my UK postbox for a little while then.

sound quality

I must have tin ears because I think the sound quality of Europe 72 was terrific-especially for 40 year old tapes. I have generally thought the sound on all the releases was at least good to excellent given what the age is and the choice of recording medium. I'm listening through a system with tube amps and Klipsch old time speakers-either Heresys or Epics depending upon the mood. These speakers are revealing and dynamic so shit doesn't generally turn to shinola on them and I have been happy with the sound. I did think there were problems with the Warlocks box but, all in all, not bad. Judging from the comments around here I must have tin ears. I pity the "Golden Ear" folks-nothing is gonna make them happy.

E72 Needs A Re-Do

Released in 24/96 FLAC'S.

Waiting on DaP 3?

My experience is that it takes no longer than 9 days for UPS Ground to go coats to coast That is the slowest way to go, bar none, even USPS bulk. Therefore, all of this did not go out the door on 7/30/12, guaranteed.

Hey! Move it to DaP 3 thread!

This is the Spring 90 Fuss Fest thread! Stay on topic.

Work for free

To all those whining about Rhino (read The Grateful Dead) just want to make money when was the last time you worked for free

DaP 3

My copy of Daves Picks 3 was received in northern Virginia on Friday, 8/3/2012, via standard USPS shipping.

Dave's Picks 3

DP#3...pffft. I actually forgot about it. Needles to say mine hasn't arrived yet. I can hardly wait for the Spring 90 box to arrive though. I should be just getting back from Phish's 2nd leg when it arrives. I can't wait to pop in the first disc. I'm going straight to Nassau!

Dave's Picks 3

Hey everyone...for what it's worth, my copy arrived this monday, August 6, & I've never had a problem getting the releases..I'm in upstate NY..Albany. And, at the risk of offending some of my friends out here...Brent was a whiz on the keyboards, no question. But I found his voice to be one of the most annoying in rock and a distraction from any song on which he sang. Today being the anniversary of Jerry's death, would this not be a good time for folks to lobby the Post Office for a Jerry Stamp??? We all know now that addiction is a disease. And if that is raised as an objection to honoring Jerry, look at all the stamps that have been issued for Americans who were drug addicts and alcoholics over the years...Spencer Tracy, Billie Holliday, Bing Crosby, who also beat his wife & children, Edgar Allan Poe, James Baldwin...the list goes on. I don't know how a person gets to have a stamp celebrating his life & contributions to our lives and culture, but of all places, THIS site should have someone who knows how to get this started. Be well everybody, and as a wise old dude once said to me...go to church today and blow out a candle in Jerry's name.

anna

lets keep talking about dave's pick not arriving.stay off topic!!

Hmmm . . .

Let's see . . .A group of very serious and devout Deadheads responds to requests from other Heads to spruce up and release some great music from the 90's. They spend weeks and months listening critically to dozens and dozens of shows. They recruit a record company that specializes in releasing high-quality (both sonically and packaging-wise) CDs by obscure-yet-talented musicians, even though many of those releases have expected sales in the low thousands of units. This team of Deadheads (who have heard more Dead than just about anyone), who have the time, inclination, and equipment to produce the best possible sound from decades-old tapes, decide how the music will be best presented, in terms of source material and production process. They dress the CDs up with lavish books that will be a joy to look at for years, along with some trinkets that stir old memories and make the set a wonder to behold. Leaves me thinking of two words only-- Thank you! For anyone who thinks that Rhino is some greedy company, please go take a look at the artists they produce. The people at Rhino love music, and put out well-thought releases that no other company would even consider. I am willing to bet $200 that David and company made the best decision on this set as to which source tapes to use. And Europe '72 sounds amazing to my ears through a tube amp, some Grados, and some Magnepans. If folks didn't scream so loudly about complete show-only releases, then perhaps there would have been an 8-disc compilation of this tour that was $140, but hit all the truly fantastic moments, but excluded all the mediocre moments. Then it would have been more affordable, would have hit everyone's favorite moment, and would have allowed more production time for the 80's releases that some folks clamor for. (personally I would love more 60's) You can't have it all, so I'm Grateful that we get so gosh darn many releases that look and sound excellent.

Epic Box Set 2012!!

Being that I was too young to experience anything Grateful Dead before 1980,...and my first show was in 1982, the Brent years have a special place in my heart, and this expands my heart to 3x the normal size, no I am not the Grinch,..LOL>>>but this just gives me such a thrill to be able to go back and listen to the magic once again, and remember all those f***in' good shows I caught whilst they were in their late 80's rebirth. So looking forward to the expansive listen,..so glad I made it!!!

product sku

GRA9900088