Spring 1990, Volume One Box

Post reply Log in to post comments

August 8, 2012 - 10:43am

1,097 replies

Anonymous (not verified)

Joined:
March 29, 2017

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

Comments

sort by

Recent

Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A

Reset

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

Forums

Dead Store Products

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

Artwork

I just found it, but thanks for your help.

Recieved mine

I received my set on Thursday [ 6493/9000 ]. USPS left it on my porch because no one was home because, being on vacation, I had taken my family to the beach. I opened it and was very happy to see that all the discs were there and none of them were damaged. The only blemish is a gouge on the back of the Copps Colesium digipack set.

box damaged in shipping

Box set is in and I am psyched. Starting my listening party in 5 minutes but the box itself is damaged. Looks like it was dropped pretty hard on its corner so even the inside box is dented. I am hoping for $200 I can get a replacement box. I have sent a note in to customer service with some pics so hopefully they come thru and fix this issue.

@footbear

Hello Pot...meet Kettle...

Overdose

This is a wonderful time for those of us who are both Deadheads and Zappa Freaks (I don't think they like to be called heads). No need to go into the huge amount of newly released Dead material here that's being handled just fine. But for those of us who grew up loving both the Zappa Family Trust is in the process of reissuing the entire Zappa Catalogue. The approach for that is a little different. Much of what is on CD was remastered by Zappa in the 80's and not to the joy of the purists. He added digital reverb rerecorded bass and drums on the earliest stuff etc. so unlike the Dead releases where we are hearing for the 1st time live shows we only heard on tapes/boots with the Zappa releases it's ok how is this different from the earlier cd releases. Many are the original vinyl mixes on cd for the 1st time. I think I need to take a few weeks off of work to fully digest both the Dead and the Zappa stuff. As I said Overdose. Whatever you may think of Zappa I can't help but think almost everone on this site would agree with one of his quotes--- MUSIC IS THE BEST. And just maybe what I say to my friends who aren't quite so obsessive Music Is Life. Ok back to the task at hand let's see I think another Dead show is called for tonight.

Nevermind

Venting will change nothing

Scrib

A most excellent essay by Scrib... I always like reading his stuff.

The Music Never Stops...

Been listening to the shows for the past few days, and STOKED to have them. Have had most of the shows recorded from the audience for years, but its like discovering them for the first time in this awesome box set. Love the versions of Foolish Heart, Bertha and Scarlet-Fire. And the packaging is awesome, so fancy. Even the Shipping box was custom. Well worth the price.Sorry some people are so negative.... sometimes "shit happens" (I saw may of those bumper stickers in the lot at shows) I think Rhino is a great company and have good customer service. They once replaced a CD that I cracked from removing it from the case.

The Music Never Stops...

Thank You Rhino

So very happy, So very excellent!

The band is on fire!The mix is near perfect! Brent is playing out of his mind! Possibly the best box yet.

iTunes Zappa

Been listening to the '88 Zappa tour. Really the best band you never heard!!!

where the rivers end or where the rivers start

Was fortunate to see the Best Band You Never Heard in '88 ~ a unique version of genius. (I guess that's what makes genius genius.) But to the band at hand...... Had a wonderful time reliving 3-16-90 last night. The band is super hot, Bob is in especially fine vocal form, so is Jerry for that matter, Phil is all over it on bass, and it's one of those nights where "when the drummers are hot, the band is hot." The first set is worth owning for its own sake, Good Times Roll is really inspired, Touch of Grey is a marvelous version, really picking up steam for the finale, Minglewood cooks (nice 3-go-round opening solo from Jerry), Peggy-O is beautifully rendered, Bird Song is even more epic than I remember, and the show stoppers ~ Black-Throated & Blow Away ~ what can you say...two very emotional moments. Scarlet inspires a full post-jam before the surprise ~ and very hot ~ Estimated, and Ship of Fools is intense and VERY inspired. Jerry seems to be searching for the right effect on his first Women Are Smarter solo, but finds it during the verse before his second ~ and tears in accordingly. Brent's now-permanently-stolen "little boy sit on the corner and cry" verse was fun to hear again. The Last Time ~ the encore ~ is about the only thing that's ragged vocally (moreso than I remember) but finds pure magic once Brent joins Jerry on the outro harmonies and Bob takes over the lead scatting. Leaving this show, it was my favorite of the Landover run and hearing it again it's hard to argue. My verdict on the mix is, I'm loving it. Could multi-track have brought out a little more Jerry vocal here, or Billy snare there? Undoubtedly. However, these live mixes really sound LIVE. The vocals, Jerry's lead guitar, and other elements really capture the sound of the venue, and the energy of the event. I think something important would've (or certainly could've) been lost in a multi-tracking mix translation. Moved chronologically to Hartford today, but cheated and jumped to 2nd set. Box of Rain is about as quintessential a version as you're going to hear; Phil's vocal is strong and poignant, and the harmonies on the finale are studio-perfect. As if while recently reworking Attics, they'd shored up on Box, as well. Vocal flubs notwithstanding ~ and Jerry doesn't let them stand in his way (as he occasionally could on a lesser night) ~ the Foolish Heart is a wonderful version, flawless and soaring jam. Playin' -> Eyes -> Drums....nice. Great organ from Brent on Playin'. To Blair's liner note point (which I read after), Drums really does flow right on with the beat the drummers have been chasing relentlessly all through Eyes. Sounds like Jerry has left the stage a little before the others as the Eyes jam winds down, or else he's MIDI'd his guitar into something purely percussive.....will just have to hear it again to be sure... Promise I won't post my own personal review of every show! But it's been great listening this weekend, psyched for Copps and can't wait for Nassau. (And Footbear, I do feel for you ~ I'd be bummed if I wasn't in a position to obtain these shows in particular, and I know I'm very lucky that some of these big releases have happened while I was.)

Mystery compartments?

This is very sweet. I'm gonna try and take my time rather than ripping through every show (save one as mentioned below) on a consecutive bender like I did w/E '72. (Yeah, i know, like that'll work) Did anybody find anything in the right-hand side of the box when you open it? I didn't, but it just seemed like it was made w/something in there since they put a finger hole in, and left side has all the stubs/passes, etc.. These cd sleeves are way better than Europe box; those were thinner and looked cool in the steamer trunk, but I must've ripped half of them. (Also hope those don't develop any scratches/skips from sliding them in and out-hasn't happened to me yet) Through tremendous willpower and sensei-like strength, I've saved the Rotterdam show from Europe to listen to in my old age and decrepitude; don't think I can do the same with one of these six! Anyone who has never heard 3/30 Nassau is in for a treat-that show is just flawless execution but still with total adventurousness and improvisation IMO, and the pre-drums setlist is extraordinary. Definitely hope they do release 3/29 in its entirety down the road; don't know if any of the remaining 9 are really worthy or not as I haven't heard most of them.

dvd

Does anyone know if there will be dvd releases from this tour?

dvd

Does anyone know if there will be dvd releases from this tour?

Benefit for the Creamery

40 years ago, today...

Honestly,

it's a bit of let down to (finally) be among the first to own a limited edition set such as this and there not be a bonus disc included.

Oops

Double post

Yes!

I got 898/9000 in the mail this morning, though my order status still says "In Process". Beautiful box. Thanks, Rhino/GDM.

Yes!

I got 898/9000 in the mail this morning, though my order status still says "In Process". Beautiful box. Thanks, Rhino/GDM.

Had to Happen Sooner or Later

I've been ordering from Dead.net for 14 years, never had a single problem!! Now I have 2!! No Dave's 3, but more importantly, my Hartford show had a Copps disc one. So now I have 2 disc one's from Copps, and no disc one for Hartford. I emailed Customer Service and they got back to me right away, so hopefully that is a good sign. Anyone else get a wrong disc, or am I the only lucky one to have two copies of Copps set I?

Anybody know

Does anybody know how many sets are now left? I know a couple of people (myself included) who sprung for the set the moment the shipping announcement hit on late Thursday.

still waiting

paid for overnight shipping and am still waiting to hear anything. my order has been in process for almost 2 weeks. any word or update on when overnight shippers box will send would be amazing at this point..

Forry!! Exact Same Issue Here

Just read your post, too bad you didn't get an extra Hartford set one instead, we could have done a trade and avoided Customer Care all together. They said they would get back to me about sending a replacement disc within 72 hours. Let me know how it turns out for you, I'll do the same. Burnsy

Best tours

What are people's favorite tours?I'm endlessly amazed at how often people ignore 1970. For instance, in the book this set came with Lemieux says 1990, Europe 72, fall 73, spring 77. Hello? These are great in their way, yes, but none of them can TOUCH 1970! Damn, it irks me that so few Dead Heads seem to realize how amazing 1970 was. LISTEN TO DICK'S PICKS 8 FOR INSTANCE! No way is there better Jerry. Disk 2 is freakin' amazing. By the way, one of my disks in this set is cracked. I emailed dead.net. I sure hope they can send me a new disk without me sending the whole set back! And what happens if they are sold out? I hope they have extra disks for this kind of problem. UPDATE: Aha! Now I get it. David was 19 in the early '90's and not born in 1970! That might explain it. Most Dead Heads I know think the tours they actually experienced are the best ever. But I didn't see 1970 in person either. I'm a child of 76-77 mostly. One other thing: on page 3 of the book there is a photo with a red circle on it that is supposed to be circling David in the tapers section. For the life of me I can't see a person at all in that circle! In the very center of the circle is something that looks like a square brown thing, sort of like a paper bag. David, are you wearing a bag over your head? LOL!

Dave's 3

itsburnsy says he's having a problem: "No Dave's 3". That's not out yet, is it? If it is, I also didn't get it yet.

update for folks with broken/defective/wrong disc issues

Please contact the Spring 90 Store customer service, not Dr. Rhino. If this doesn't work, get back to me. Thanks.

and if you did not get your Dave's Picks 3 yet

and have not already done so, please DO send email with the details to Dr. Rhino, drrhino (at) rhino.com

Best Yet!

This is the best release yet. I'm a very satisfied customer. This is, IMHO, the hight point of the Dead's career. In terms of musicianship and variety (not to mention the quality of recordings) there is nothing that tops 89/90. Everything about this release is top notch. Apparently, Europe /72 was a learning experience for Rhino. This box is much better done. Reasonable roll out and release date, good promos, nice packaging, great mixing and mastering. The only thing that might top this would be a box of the Dylan/Dead collaboration. Or Spring /90 Part II. I'm taking a week of vacation, leaving Texas, heading West. There is no better way to listen to the Dead than while driving the Great American Desert in a two-seater with a sound system that can make the floor shake. Six days and six shows, W TX, NM, AZ, maybe on to CA. Just a mile to go, my old buddy your moving much too slow.

@itsburnsy-Thanks,I will keep you informed.

Talked to Dead.net customer service today and was told that they would get a replacement disc out to me also,but they could not say when it would be processed and mailed.I'll let you know how things go.thanks!

@itsburnsy-Thanks,I will keep you informed.

A very good choice of shows

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! These shows sound great so far. My tastes in GD music are mostly the early 70's - 1970 - '73, with the full range being the 1960's to about 1984. The shows that were released in this box satisfies me very well. I don't think I will order a "Spring 1990, Volume 2" if this is ever considered by The Powers That Be. I would be extremely happy if "Sunshine Daydream" / 8/27/72 were ever to be released - either as two separate entities: GDP & the owners of "Sunshine Daydream" or a two products from GDP, similar to the "Truckin' Up To Buffalo" releases, or a single package like "Crimson, White & Indigo"

Ziggybirds

I have passed along your message.

Highway robbery

So because you people who pay $200 for these shows, or $500 for Europe 72'; people like me who listen to these shows on archive.org discover that we can't listen to soundboards anymore and now get told to go buy music that has and should always stay free.

should always stay free?

Plucky, I'm not sure why you and others believe that soundboards recorded by the band for the band (or in the case of Fall '89->Spring '90, specifically for commercial release) should be free ~ as opposed to audience recordings taped by tapers. But you do have a point ~ if a release is a limited quantity run, and you CAN'T buy it once it's sold out ~ then I don't know why audio streams would be removed for those. At the end of the day, though, the music still belongs to the band ~ not to us (unless we taped it). As for audience tapers who were allowed to plug into the soundboard who share THEIR soundboard tapes on the Archive ~ and maybe that's what you meant ~ well, room for debate, there, I suppose. But even then, I think the pendulum lands on the band ~ the tapers allowed to access the soundboard received a gift that night, and that should not preclude the band's ultimate ownership of the feed from its own soundboard. Just my opinion.

Free?

I don't remember very many free concert tickets.

folks who are being told to mail back their whole box when they

have a defective disc--I have just conferred with the boss, and he says NO, DO NOT SEND THE WHOLE BOX BACK, and has reminded customer service that we don't want this. Instead, please send your info to deadnet@custhelp.com and we'll try to get it resolved speedily. Keep me posted. Thanks.

2432 / 9000

opening this boxset was magical. So much thought and detail are packed in. Beyone thrilled. and the sound is pretty damn excellent (even though they cheesed out on the 24track). Seriously, it sounds fantastic. Happy times

Phi Krappa Zappa

Hey now, snafu. Grate to meet another Zappa Freak. I just received the 4 disc set, put out by Vaulter Native Records, of Zappa & The Mothers at Carnegie Hall - October 11, 1971, in the mail. It also includes the opening set by The Persuasions. I'm listening to it right now. I'm very happy to report that the sound is excellent on what I've heard so far. It brings back great memories. I had front row seats for the 7:30 show. The discs have both the 7:30 and 11:00 Zappa shows. Highly recommended to all.

Perfect

double post

Perfect

Got #5645 in NH today and I'd say it's nearly perfect. This is a beautiful, beautiful box -- great production, plentiful goodies, spectacular sound and playing. Thanks to all involved! I love seeing all of the tour logistics, like the roadies' breakfast supplies and schedule.

the best

This is by far the best dead release yet can't wait for vol 2

We can share the music

We can share the music we can share the wine because we done shared all of mine. Because people like us pay $200 for these shows these shows get beautifully mixed and mastered -- and eventually everyone in the GD community will have it. I am sure there are people who have bought who will share it. Just look around a bit. I'm with you though, I don't know why they remove it from archive.org. I can't see how streaming rough "mixes" at a low bit/sec hurts sells of the polished product. In fact, I would think they could use it as advertisement. But I know nothing about the business of it.

just exactly perfect...

from the box it was shipped in to the flyers showing camping areas, hotels and restaurants. The mix is superb. I haven't played my tapes for oh....7 or 8 years. And probably never will again. Most of my shows attended were in '89 and '90 and after listening to all the seventies releases recently, forgot how freaking good they were at this point in their trip. Brent is on literal FIRE!!!!. Tight and precise...they WERE a well oiled machine about now. Drumz and space are incredible every show presented here. Don't skip those tracks. The calypso jam out of Women Smarter was classic. Repeated that track 3 times in a row, dancing the whole time. The box is awesome. Artwork kickass. Worth every penny.......Now about Dave's Picks 3...Hmmm..still waiting for that one. Hear it's really good too, but I'm on this 1990 kick right about now. Thanks for reading. God Bless the Grateful Dead. p.s. gonna save that shipping box as well. you never know when you may have to move and lug your precious belongings along with you.

I got a miracle once...

And gave out 2 or 3

Happy!

I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this set! I love this era of Grateful Dead so much. Unfortunately, I cannot afford this set. I know I'm missing out, but I picked up the downloads of the Pittsburgh shows from 4/2/89 and 4/3/89, so I can kinda live vicariously through those. Plus the download was $19.00 for two complete shows. I think I'll get the 2-disc compilation when it's available. Keep the positive vibes comin everyone! Cheers to Spring '90. This set will probably be worth more than the Fillmore set when it's all said and done. If it's still available around September 12 or 13, I may pick it up. Can't wait for the next DP release! C'mon 60's show!

Happy!

Just got mine in the mail today. It was here before I knew it, as i finally got my order in on Thursday. I've got the majority of this tour on tape as well and the Hartford 3-19 as well as 3-16 Cap Centre shows where pretty solid. the bird song from 3-16 is mind blowing. unfortunately my first show was 7-19-95, and never got to see the dead in it's peak years, but after listening to this it makes me feel as if i was there. From the shows I've heard so far as I'm listening to them in order as we speak. The mix sounds very well balanced and appealing to the ears. These shows were very well prepared. overall very happy myself. thanks David, Jeffery, and the entire GD staff. Hey David, for the next vault show please select 4-2-73 Boston Garden, or maybe a box of 87' Red Rocks. oO!!!! If the box looks anything like the spring 90' tour, I'll be for sure in on a buy for it. just for a heads up, I'll definitley be purchasing vol 2 as well. pCe!!

Fall ' 89...

I f you have 2- track recordings of Fall tour ' 89 that sound like these do. Could you please release them? Spring box Vol. 2 I'm in. These sound so good!

Thoughts on re-sale

This box is already worth half of what some Fillmore '69 sets are currently going for on eBay, many those now being rather well-circulated and banged up. What concerns me is that there is definitely not nearly the demand for this set as there was Fillmore '69 or even Europe '72. This lack of demand will definitely affect re-sale value. It will take much longer for somebody willing to dish out $600 for this set versus Fillmore '69. Enough time has elapsed so that the gameplayers who would have been willing to drop $600 at re-sale have now had their chance to purchase one brand new. I've got to admit that I'm sort of confused by the suckers who have their Spring '90 box listed on eBay right now while the set is still available here. I suspect that there's about 800 left in the warehouse, and those 800 will take some time to sell through.

Christmas In August???

Got my Spring 1990 box on Friday. I was pleasantly surprised to find it waiting for me when I got home from work, especially considering I only paid for the standard shipping, and wasn't expecting it to be shipped before the end of the month. All I can say is "Wow!" This thing is a beauty. I didn't order the Europe '72 set when it came out (mainly due to the price tag), but now I'm going to totally reconsider that. The sound quality on these discs is fantastic. The set definately captures a moment in time for me. I'd forgotten how vital Brent had become to the sound of the Dead at this point in time. Makes me wish I'd appreciated him more when he was around. The first set of the Cap Centre show is flawless. Can't wait to dig into the rest of this box. Heck, I was still enjoying Dave's Picks, Vol.3 when this arrived, so now I'm Dead-set for the near future. Also, the extras (especially the tour program and the hardcover book) are very cool. A lot of thought went into this thing, and I'm looking forward to future similar treatment for these GD box sets.

product sku

GRA9900088