• 7,852 replies
    admin
    Joined:

    "When we began discussing audio projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead back in 2012, we knew we wanted to do something completely unprecedented. We could think of nothing more exciting or ambitious than a career-spanning overview of the band's live legacy focused on what best tells the story: complete concerts. Our first criterion was the very best live music to represent any given year in the band’s history. We wanted to make sure that there were not only the tent-pole shows that fans have been demanding for decades but also ones that are slightly more under the radar, but equally excellent. For those who listen to the entire box straight through, chronologically, the narrative of the Grateful Dead's live legacy will be seen as second to none in the pantheon of music history." - David Lemieux

    We are more than pleased to announce the Grateful Dead's most ambitious release ever: 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN. Available as both an 80-disc boxed set and a custom lightning-bolt USB drive, the collection includes 30 unreleased live shows, one for each year the band was together from 1966 to 1995, along with one track from their earliest recording sessions in 1965. Packed with over 73 hours of music, both the boxed set and the USB drive will be individually numbered limited editions.

    The 80-disc boxed set is individually numbered and limited to 6,500 copies, a nod to the band’s formation in 1965. Along with the CDs, it also includes a gold-colored 7-inch vinyl single which bookends the band’s career. The A-side is “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)” from the band’s earliest recording session in 1965 with the B-side of the last song the band ever performed together live, “Box Of Rain” recorded during their final encore at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 9, 1995.

    The box also comes with a 288-page book that features an extensive, career-spanning essay written by Nick Meriwether, who oversees the Dead archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz, along with special remembrances of the band submitted by fans. Also included is a scroll that offers a visual representation of how the band’s live repertoire has evolved through the years.

    The USB drive version* will be shaped like a gold lightning bolt with the Grateful Dead 50th anniversary logo engraved on the side. The drive includes all of the music from the collection in both FLAC (96/24) and MP3 formats and is an individually numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies. Digital version of the book also included on USB.

    Shows will NOT be sold individually on CD. This release is sure to sell out quickly so pre-order your copy today and stick around as we will be revealing a mighty fine selection of music, art, and much, much more right here.

    (Looking for a smaller 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake? September 18th will see the release of a four-CD version of the collection titled 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN: THE DEFINITIVE LIVE STORY 1965-1995. More on that here.)

    ROLLINGSTONE.COM SONG PREMIERE AND EXCLUSIVE DAVID LEMIEUX INTERVIEW
    Head on over to Rollingstone.com for the very first listen of "Morning Dew" 9/18/87 Madison Square Garden, David Fricke's exclusive interview with archivist David Lemieux, and the reveal of 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN's '69 and '84 shows.

    *Helpful hints for using your USB:

    Running the 30 Trips Player / Reader program:
    On Windows – Navigate to the USB drive and double click the PCStart.exe file to run.
    On MacOS – Open the GD 30 Trips drive, and double click the MacStart to run.

    Viewing the digital book:
    You can either view it within the program that comes on the drive, or by opening the PDF directly.

    To view the PDF, open the PDF folder on the drive and the USB_bk_spreads_08-31 file within. Selecting the option within your PDF reading application to view as a “single page” might be preferable to viewing as a continuous document.

    Importing music into iTunes and other library programs:
    When you import the songs from the USB into your library, the information used to identify the track will likely leave them sorted incorrectly. Please use the song list found here to re-number the songs for each show so that they playback in the correct order.
    PDF
    Text

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • outpost
    Joined:
    Reply from Dr. Rhino .....
    Just received this ....... 'I apologize for the tardiness of this email. I have been advised by Dead.net that an official announcement will be sent out by the end of next week, regarding the ship date of your 30 Trips Around The Sun USB order. I have no further information available at this time. I am very sorry for the delays and thank you for your continued patience. Dr. Rhino'
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Top ten first sets?.....
    ....Augusta '84 may just sneak in there. A rocker from beginning to end. Must Have Been The Roses being the only ballad. Stranger, All Over Now, Cumberland & MNS are all top shelf. What a trifecta to end the set!! Simply wonderful. Jerry was a beacon of light that evening peering through the opiate fog with authority. You go Jer....
  • sfrank115
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    DJMac520
    I know you are right - but that was the only way I can think of venting. I am really doing a project in class about this very topic, but we are using assumptions rather than facts. Thanks for the admiration :) I'm still truckin!
  • DJMac520
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    sfrank115
    With all due respect to a very well-thought out list of inquiries, you are never getting those questions answered by Rhino in a million years or with five million people ringing their bell (and keep in mind I am someone who cancelled their order last week, so I am among the great dissatisfied). Some of what you ask goes well beyond what they owe us as customers, it touches on issues that may be proprietary in nature and even if not, may have serious legal ramifications to the parties involved. For example, take the inquiry about a problem with the manufacture of the USB. If Rhino answers you no, that could be an admission against interest in any dispute with the manufacturer as to the manufacturer's liability. Answer "yes" and it could be a breach of confidentiality between those two parties in their agreement. Just aren't getting answers to those questions and frankly, you aren't owed that level of detail either most likely. But man I admire the effort.
  • sfrank115
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    USB
    I've written and called them a bunch of times, and there is no new information about the chip - just the same rhetoric! I totally feel everyone's frustration. Here is some of the email I wrote to them after asking a few questions about the USB chip, and got another templated 'generic' response...... Hi there Mac (Dr. Rhino), In all honesty, I feel that the email you just sent not only didn't explain anything, but came across as patronizing. I am doing a project for my class about distributing box sets via USB chips, and the Grateful Dead chip is a great model for this project. There have been two other USB chip releases that I can think of which have been extremely successful: The Beatles Apple USB Queen's USB Orb I understand that they were put out by huge record companies with a large budget, but it makes you question why Rhino has had such difficulty with this release. I believe as a 36 year old fan of music that USB music distribution is a great way to acquire music as well as have a tangible product. But since this 30 Trips mishap - I think people's trust in your company has been tarnished. Here are some of my questions: - Did you guys get a test product, and if so, did it work? - Was there a problem with the manufacturing of the USB chip itself? - Did the issue have anything to do with uploading the music? - Was the chip not big enough to hold all the music in 24bit FLAC & MP3 along with the PDF? (I have yet to see a small flash drive with more than 128gb) - Did you get the entire shipment in and realize that it wasn't correct - maybe the ID3 tags weren't correct? - Was the production sent offshore to be produced, and there was a communication error? The reason my teammates in class agreed to do this project with me was because of the lack of communication with customers. I mean, all you have told anybody is there was a 'production issue' and thanked them for their patience. In all honesty, you haven't given anybody a choice but to be patient. You have not offered any refunds - and thinking that a backstage pass from a show in 95 is a sufficient consolation prize for a two month delay on a $700 product is pretty ridiculous. I wanted to take on this project because I care about the Dead community, and want to help so this issue doesn't ever happen again. I mean, in the two months since we were supposed to get our USB chips, a new Dave's Pick has been released, The 2016 Dave's Pick subscription is now available to purchase, and all the Fare Thee Well shows are set to go out. I may not be the only who is dissatisfied with the level of customer service and information, but I am the person who wants to help make a difference so future Deadheads don't experience this frustration, and I'm offering to do it for free! No strings attached. I will get an A on my project with or without working with you guys - but why waste the effort? ______________ I basically got a BS answer - so, instead of emailing the BBS, try contacting these guys below. Maybe, if enough of us raise hell we will get a few more answers. The problem is how they've communicated with us. Dr. Rhino: Dr.Rhino@rhino.com VP for Rhino: ben.trask@rhino.com
  • DJMac520
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    USB Order
    Cancelled. Enough. I already have the physical box set and had bought both thinking that it would be great to have the physical box for a collector's item, but the ease of file transfer from the USB and not having to rip each disc etc. was how I would get the music to my ears most quickly. Well the delay really took away that advantage and the outlay of cash made no sense. While the way this has been handled is a travesty, I will at least give Rhino CS credit for allowing folks to cancel the order and refund the money.
  • outpost
    Joined:
    Dr. Rhino and Warner Music Group
    Well, I sent emails to both asking for an update on the USB ...... surprise, surprise, I've not had a reply yet. Customer Service my arse ! (that's a UK expression, in case you're wondering !)
  • antonjo
    Joined:
    Moses ~ 77
    I just popped '77 in for the first time as this morning's drive-to-work soundtrack. LOVING the first set so far, they really come out swinging. Jerry's leads sparkle from the get-go on Minglewood & Deal ~ sweet Deal. They Love Each Other is a perfect version, and Billy does some fun little rolls in the peak bars of Jerry's solo. And I don't think I've heard a finer Looks Like Rain from this era ~ the dynamics from everyone during the finale, including Keith, are just lovely. And the sound quality is immaculate ~ love it when I can hear the cymbal subtleties. Looking forward to the rest of this show, especially if 2nd set is even better...
  • Moses Quasar
    Joined:
    O.K....
    Just finished with the 77 show. Here are the shows that have blown me away so far: 67,71,72,73 and now this one! Ive questioned Dave twice: the first was Daves 3. I thought that coming on the heels of E72 this show had a similar set list and would have been the same old stuff but upon listening that show rocked! One my favorite Other One's of all time! The second was this show. I thought there might have been a better 77 show for the box(4/23 maybe?) but once again Dave has proved me wrong! Jerry is simply cranking on this! The first set is great, second set even better! Great Scarlet>Fire, probably the best Samson Ive ever heard and the Terrapin is Superb! I like the early versions of Terrapin where it starts right in with a faster beat! The PITB and Wharf Rat are great too! Just a great show all around! More Spring 77 please!!! Im taking my time with this box and I listen to the shows several times before I move on! 78 today! take care folks!!
  • mojobrojo
    Joined:
    Thrashing a non-corporeal equine
    This crazy USB debacle...... a few of us have had troubles over the years-- all eventually remedied-- with Dead / Rhino Customer Service but most interactions are good. They are also two companies known for putting out a quality product and being pretty Fan-centric and responsive.This is so far out of the norm-- so NOT the way they normally operate-- and that's had me puzzled. And trying to assemble this Puzzle is tough with several critical pieces missing. Then it dawned on me...... "Non-disclosure Agreement". That's the one thing that would explain the uncharacteristic behavior and lack of useful communication between Seller and Buyer. And if there is an "NDA" between Rhino and whoever they unwisely sub-contracted the Lightning Bolt out to, that agreement may well contain a clause that even the existence of an NDA cannot be disclosed to the public-- not an uncommon occurrence. I have no inside information-- I'm just speculating--but at least my suggestion lies within the realm of possibility AND points the finger away from those beleaguered CS Folks who can only tell us what they're allowed to tell us.
user picture

Member for

17 years 8 months

"When we began discussing audio projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead back in 2012, we knew we wanted to do something completely unprecedented. We could think of nothing more exciting or ambitious than a career-spanning overview of the band's live legacy focused on what best tells the story: complete concerts. Our first criterion was the very best live music to represent any given year in the band’s history. We wanted to make sure that there were not only the tent-pole shows that fans have been demanding for decades but also ones that are slightly more under the radar, but equally excellent. For those who listen to the entire box straight through, chronologically, the narrative of the Grateful Dead's live legacy will be seen as second to none in the pantheon of music history." - David Lemieux

We are more than pleased to announce the Grateful Dead's most ambitious release ever: 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN. Available as both an 80-disc boxed set and a custom lightning-bolt USB drive, the collection includes 30 unreleased live shows, one for each year the band was together from 1966 to 1995, along with one track from their earliest recording sessions in 1965. Packed with over 73 hours of music, both the boxed set and the USB drive will be individually numbered limited editions.

The 80-disc boxed set is individually numbered and limited to 6,500 copies, a nod to the band’s formation in 1965. Along with the CDs, it also includes a gold-colored 7-inch vinyl single which bookends the band’s career. The A-side is “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)” from the band’s earliest recording session in 1965 with the B-side of the last song the band ever performed together live, “Box Of Rain” recorded during their final encore at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 9, 1995.

The box also comes with a 288-page book that features an extensive, career-spanning essay written by Nick Meriwether, who oversees the Dead archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz, along with special remembrances of the band submitted by fans. Also included is a scroll that offers a visual representation of how the band’s live repertoire has evolved through the years.

The USB drive version* will be shaped like a gold lightning bolt with the Grateful Dead 50th anniversary logo engraved on the side. The drive includes all of the music from the collection in both FLAC (96/24) and MP3 formats and is an individually numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies. Digital version of the book also included on USB.

Shows will NOT be sold individually on CD. This release is sure to sell out quickly so pre-order your copy today and stick around as we will be revealing a mighty fine selection of music, art, and much, much more right here.

(Looking for a smaller 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake? September 18th will see the release of a four-CD version of the collection titled 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN: THE DEFINITIVE LIVE STORY 1965-1995. More on that here.)

ROLLINGSTONE.COM SONG PREMIERE AND EXCLUSIVE DAVID LEMIEUX INTERVIEW
Head on over to Rollingstone.com for the very first listen of "Morning Dew" 9/18/87 Madison Square Garden, David Fricke's exclusive interview with archivist David Lemieux, and the reveal of 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN's '69 and '84 shows.

*Helpful hints for using your USB:

Running the 30 Trips Player / Reader program:
On Windows – Navigate to the USB drive and double click the PCStart.exe file to run.
On MacOS – Open the GD 30 Trips drive, and double click the MacStart to run.

Viewing the digital book:
You can either view it within the program that comes on the drive, or by opening the PDF directly.

To view the PDF, open the PDF folder on the drive and the USB_bk_spreads_08-31 file within. Selecting the option within your PDF reading application to view as a “single page” might be preferable to viewing as a continuous document.

Importing music into iTunes and other library programs:
When you import the songs from the USB into your library, the information used to identify the track will likely leave them sorted incorrectly. Please use the song list found here to re-number the songs for each show so that they playback in the correct order.
PDF
Text

user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

Thanks rdevil, outrageous and fun. Now if only we could find some instructions for the Lego Wall of Sound and speaker decals.. (preferably on perforated paper).
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

Duke '78 would be great 'cause there's good video footage to go with good sound.And yup,it's sporty! :) Late night edit:I couldn't pull the trifecta.Born to late.But I did get two of the points on the Triangle. 7-10-90 Carter-Finley Stadium-Raleigh,NC (NC State University-WolfPack) 3-24/25-93 Dean Smith Center,UNC-Chapell Hill,NC (Tarheels) :)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 6 months
Permalink

The only problem with what she told you (if you're worried about 30 trips) is that you haven't been charged yet. So when they charge you before shipping they will charge the card they have on record - your old card. The bank will not recognize that and automatically charge your new card. No way. You need to have CS change the card they have on record or cancel your order and re-order with your new CC.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 4 months
Permalink

Can anyone send me a link of a great 82' show for download besides 4-6-82 I have become obsessed with early 80's Dead.
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

If you like Phil shows, 4/18 and 4/19 are neat and both good shows, both with Phil pixie dust sprinkled in during Space. Might as well keep going for the next few shows and give the Greeks a listen and perhaps even the Moscone Center show and make a run of it. There's lots of good shows in 1982, I bet a few others have some great suggestions to add to these. Just a few suggestions, mainly because they are interesting, not run of the mill shows.
user picture

Member for

13 years 6 months
Permalink

I am biased (because I was there and had a really nice aud tape for many years) but my fave is 9/17/82. This show is unusual because Brent had no vocal mic. So it's just Jerry and Bob singing. There are embryonic versions of In the Dark songs and great versions of others (Candyman, Dupree's, It's All Over Now, The Other One, Morning Dew, etc.) I would go to Relisten.net if I were you.
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Why, with a contest, of course! The first person to correctly guess the opening song for the first set of the Santa Clara show on Saturday, 6/27 will receive a piece of original Grateful Dead artwork as a prize. It'll be something from one of the releases shown in the picture on the GD store's "Music" page. And, if one of the entries happens to be the opening song for the first set on Sunday, 6/28, the first correct entrant will receive a prize as well. Just not as good as the 6/27 prize! Read the Rulez before entering: 1) Only one entry per person, one song per entry. An individual's duplicate guesses will be ignored and only the first guess will count 2) Entrant must have a dead.net "joined" date of 6/21/2015 or sooner (to prevent guesses under more than one user name. I know how sneaky y'all can be!) 3) Guess must be a legit song from the Dead's repertoire - not an opening jam, "Happy Birthday," "Funiculi Funicula," etc. Nothing from Phish or Hornsby, either 4) Only guesses sent to me in a PM will be considered. Anything posted in a forum will be ignored. Oh, yeah...please keep the PMs short and sweet 5) Entries will be accepted from 6:00 PM Pacific time on Wednesday, 6/24 through 11:59 PM Pacific time on Friday, 6/26. Guesses submitted outside those parameters will be ignored 6) First person to guess correctly wins (determined by time and date of PM) Disclaimers: In the very unlikely event any setlist is leaked beforehand, or the opening song is somehow publicly announced before the entry deadline, contest will be considered null and void and there will be no winners. This contest is not affiliated in any way with dead.net, Rhino, Musictoday, MaryE, band members, the ghost of Pigpen, seagulls hovering above Lemieux, etc. Just little ol' me! Have fun at the shows and good luck!
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

check out 1st set from - 2.19.82, lots of great tunes and Brent sounds nice to me. 4.3.82 - Scarlet Fire opens the 2nd set,, worth a visit. Shortly after a fairly slower Eyes of the World for the time period. Sound quality is not the best,, A few weeks before, I think the sound quality on 3.14.82 is better with some decent stuff. 5.23.82 - 2nd set,, check out the Motorcycle in a portion of Drums/Space.. Very cool and a smokin set 2nd Scarlet Begonias > Fire On The Mountain ; Samson And Delilah ; Ship Of Fools ; Estimated Prophet > Eyes Of The World > Jam > Drums > Space > The Other One > Stella Blue > I Need A Miracle > Casey Jones E: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction > Brokedown Palace
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I wondered when you would beckon from your vantage point to invite prognostications from the heads. "It ain't what I don't know that gets me into trouble, it's what I know for sure, that ain't so". Samuel Clemons
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

haha not only do I have a really accurate guess of the Show Opener, I also have a very accurate guess for song number 2.. I was listening to a show last night and that locked it in for me. Good luck to all and happy guessing !! In honor of Santa Clara,, here is 5.18.68 taped by Jorma in Santa Clara. Santa Clara has a few early Dead era shows, but I think this is the only one that was taped,, Pigpen is hard to hear, but the rest is there https://archive.org/details/gd1968-05-18.aud.jorma.gmb.sbeok.94591.flac…
user picture

Member for

9 years 5 months
Permalink

Those are grate! He makes those by hand, fantastic. Someone smarter than me can design the Wall of Sound set and submit it Lego Ideas and if it gets enough votes they might make it for real. They recently put out the car from Ghostbusters and it's awesome. Listened to my AUD from 11/8/70 the other night, what a glorious show! Love the rare songs in the acoustic set and the electric set has a killer DS.
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

Didn't mean to do that.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years
Permalink

Hey now ;) Sent a PM!
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

That period has a few Contenders for the Best of All-Time... As mentioned the US Blues from 4.12.78 ranks as the top. This tour also has a few others.. the most well-known is Stella Blue from 4.21.78 featured on the So Many Roads box... 4.10.78 - Franklins Tower, some vocals flubs to open, but excellent overall 4.12.78 - Row Jimmy , Peggy-O,, (and US Blues) 4.19.78 - Friend of the Devil,, maybe not contender for BOAT, but its one I really like. 4.24.78 - The Music never Stopped and Scarlet Fire from Dave's Picks 7
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

8-3-82 is the best of the year for me, cuts and sound issues notwithstanding.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

especially 8-3-82
user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months
Permalink

I am a fan of 1978. Call it posterity - Closing of Winterland was my first Grateful Dead show, and Dick's Picks 18 was my 3rd or 4th. After a long layoff I got back in the game in early 2014 and began my Dave's Picks collection with #7, after reading about how good The Music Never Stopped is on Heady Versions dot com. Aside from being a great end-to-end performance, this version holds the record for the "early jam" which is the 2 minute cloud ride through space that goes from 3:18 to 5:20. If this little nugget has passed you by, you won't regret revisiting DaP 7 (or as I call it, "Return to Normal with the Grateful Dead") This little instrumental jam typically lasted 20 or 30 seconds, but they began stretching it out in late '77. And as you said, the Scarlet / Fire is outstanding (let it burn, let it burn, let it burn). I would also encourage listeners to check out the Terrapin Station on here; it is also performed about as perfect and smooth as it gets, and Bob Weir's rhythm playing of the main Terrapin lick is up-front and just mesmerizing. Cassidy is nice from this show too - some nice pian-er from Keith during the Fare Thee Be Well Now section. One more note on Return to Normal 4/24/78: the mix is un-freakin believably good for a two-track master; the separation of instruments is better than some of the multi-tracks that have been released. Why 1978? Posterity for sure, but I also enjoy the new songs on top of the '77 set list - Stagger Lee, I Need A Miracle, and From the Heart of Me are fantastic additions to the set, not to mention the return of Dark Star. And there is something to be said for the return of the Wolf - it's a louder guitar, with a much more resonant tone; and whether as a result of the Wolf, or just because, Phil started playing a lot more "crunch cords" on bass, which contributes to the unique soundscape of '78. But I came to post about Uncle John's Band from 5/11/72 (aka "Dick's Pick"). This rendition is a good example of how the little nuances from performance to performance have kept me coming back to the Grateful Dead again and again. It's just a little thing really, where Jerry picks the UJB melody in between the lines "it's the same story the crow told me..." and "like the morning sun you come, and like the wind you go"; I've never heard him play these familiar notes at this quiet part before, and it really just elevates the moment. Check it out on headphones for maximum effect. P.S. - one more comment on 1978 - I hope the 5/14 show that comes with 30 Trips knocks my socks off. There is something utterly forgettable about Dick's Picks 25 from a couple of nights before that I can't quite put an ear on.
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

interesting song selection and when it appears during the show 2nd set portion includes : Let It Grow > Drums > Space > He's Gone 1982 is sort of an awkward year in terms of standout shows. I think Dave selecting 7.31.82, may well have been one of his easiest choices for entire career. EDIT: speak of the devil,, 2.20.82 going down on Sirius right now,, gotta run, catch ya all another time
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Apparently, no one read the rules, because I've been flooded with PMs already. Contest begins Wednesday at 6 PM, folks: From the contest rules: 5) Entries will be accepted from 6:00 PM Pacific time on Wednesday, 6/24 through 11:59 PM Pacific time on Friday, 6/26. Guesses submitted outside those parameters will be ignored Gracias!
user picture

Member for

9 years 5 months
Permalink

Dick's Picks 25 sounds kinda different to me because they are all Shrooming or otherwise psychedelicly impaired or so I remember reading somewhere. They are pretty much laughing the whole show and it's awesome. Especially love the Werewolves of London, grate show and they were obviously having a good time!
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Yikes! I teach history to mostly college freshman and sophomores, and I'm frequently frustrated by their, um, lack of focus on directions. But Deadheads!??! I thought for sure there would be no problem (heh). Keithfan, love your post about 78. It is a year I've struggled with, though I agree with Ridin that DP25 is loads of fun (it was only the second show I think, that the mescaline was ingested). And DP18 is a classic. On the other hand, I've never yet understood the allure of Red Rocks 78, and I did not understand Normal at all (but then, I never did understand normal hahahahah). Anyway, Keithfan, thanks to your eloquence, I'm going to revisit Normal. I have a theory: Most all agree that 77 was a great year; but there are some who prefer 78 (and maybe Fall 77) and some who prefer 76 and maybe spring 77. I'm a Travis Bean not a Wolf :)
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

Interesting theory, claney. There might just be something to what you say. I would add, coming out of the Terrapin studio sessions, there was a lot of work done both in laying down the studio tracks, but also in tightness with some emphasis on the drummers. That tightness carried forward into '76, early '77. ..but by fall they had begun to loosen up, add in the wolf, outside influences (the edgier pre-punk era) and you have '78 and beyond. The Dec. '77 shows highlight some of those changes, this came up a month or two ago on these threads.. there was a lot to those posts.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 7 months
Permalink

Curious to get your thoughts on the best choice for a download series or road trips purchase. I have download series 1 (amazing) as well as the June 9th 1976 and the 5/15/70 road trips (both great)....looking to purchase (probably via itunes) another one and would love your thoughts - as my name suggests, i love the 80s, but actually been in an early 70s phase the last few weeks.... all the setlists look great but what stands out as a must have??
user picture

Member for

15 years 1 month
Permalink

Coming out next month! From the blurb at Amazon: This special commemorative edition of DeadBase celebrates the 50th anniversary of the most enduring, unique and influential American rock band in history - the Grateful Dead. Continuing the tradition of providing the most complete collection of data regarding Grateful Dead concerts, both from a statistical perspective and more personal experiential recollections, DeadBase 50 is a mixed bag of a reference book (992 pages worth!). In response to the countless requests to reprint the last complete edition, this anniversary edition contains a reprint of DeadBase XI plus updates to the master list (DeadBase) of Grateful Dead shows, updates to GarciaBase and WeirBase, and new sections for NedBase, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Dead, and Furthur. Along with new reviews, analysis and a brand new discography, this book also includes a number of new photos from Jay Blakesberg, Herb Greene, Bob Minkin, Rosie McGee, Susana Millman and others. Forewords were kindly provided by Dennis McNally, David Lemieux, Nicholas Meriwether, David Dodd, Blair Jackson, David Gans and Rob Koritz.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 2 months
Permalink

If you own nothing else from the Road Trips series (in addition to 5/15/70), pick up Denver '73 and Wall of Sound. Both absolutely essential. 2/14/68 is right behind them.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 6 months
Permalink

Nice breakdown of 78 Keith....however, you forgot to include the real x-factor when you talk about Phil's chord crunching... I actuall think his tone was beautifully balanced for most of the year.... Could it be that owsley (bear) Stanley was his bass tech for the tours? I find the correlation interesting..... To 80s fan... I'm not sure if this is in your wheelhouse, but I just listened to Austin 71 while at they gym, and more than couple of times, I stopped working out to just listen..... That road trips flat out smokes!!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 4 months
Permalink

Nice writeup on 1978 indeed, though I cannot get on board with the "return of Dark Star" point as a benefit to the year as it was played once all year -- and even then not really, as it was 1/1/79 at the time it went down. :)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

A must. All the before mentioned RT's are excellent!. You already have 5/15, so I would progress to Austin, Denver 73', and then WOS. Take a deep breath, and bring it back down with 2/14/68. Sammy T
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 7 months
Permalink

Thank you! I've heard great things about not only the dark star, but the NFA>GDTFB>NFA....on itunes it's $15 so despite the lack of cover art, booklet, etc, i think i'm going to pick it up....and as others have said, immediately burn it to cd (old habits)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 2 months
Permalink

Great minds!
user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months
Permalink

next thing you know, people will be at each other's throats about Wolf vs. Travis Bean. 80s fan - tough call on the Road Trips. I like '68 and '69 because there are so precious few shows from that era, and I'll take all of Dark Star => St. Stephen => The Eleven that I can get. '73 has some great moments (Truckin' => The Other One => Stella Blue) and if you have the bonus disc from 12/6/73, you get that monster 40 minute Dark Star => Eyes of the World. '74 also has some great stuff, including one of my favorite Morning Dew renditions from the bonus disc. '77 is great if you have nothing else from '77, but if you have the box sets and the Dick's Picks, this isn't going to do anything for you. '78 is a very nice Winterland conglomeration, but nothing you can't get elsewhere, with the exception of If I Had The World To Give from the bonus disc. The bonus disc is dear to me, as it has my second favorite Estimated Prophet, and IMHO is the strongest of this 3 disc set. '76 is actually my favorite release from '76, chock full of great performance, great sound, and without a difficult to obtain bonus CD. Highlights: great versions of Cold Rain & Snow, Promised Land, U.S. Blues (if you can get past Jerry's missed note in the opening lick), 11 minute St. Stephen, 17 minute Eyes of the World, Let it Grow, one of the few releases with Crazy Fingers, High Time, Ship of Fools, Mission in the Rain, one of the only post-hiatus Sugar Magnolias that I feel is any good (wait for it, wait for it, uggh, just got pelted with rotten eggs and desecrated tomato). I could go on about the set list, it's great and so is the performance. The other thing that may interest you is that it's a complete show (plus bonus tracks). Most Road Trips are not complete shows. But I think the 70s jewels of the Road Trips series (aside from the Fillmore East release from 1970 that you already have), are the two from 1971 (with Bonus discs of course). These are just fantastic, akin to Dick's Picks 35, but perhaps sounding a bit better. Both feature the band as a 5 piece; one is from the Summer with Pigpen, the other is from the Fall with Keith. The Keith show is a complete show + bonus disc from I think the next night. The Pigpen show has material from multiple shows.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

of '74 before; the '74 box, Eyes, etc., has had me going there - to that then. Loved the 6/20 and 6/22 is solid, if not a great show, but 6/23 is the stuff of Dreams (Dead ones, don't you know). Of course, a 1974 box is unlikely, a 3-show little guy, including 6/20, 6/22 and 6/23, would be logical fodder. Rt 6/16 & 6/18, and Dick's 6/26, 6/28, are the bookends for this trifecta. 6/23 includes one of the last Dark Stars not yet officially released before it was cast away. I'd have to say it's gotta be in the same conversation as 2/24. And then there's 6/30 ... won't go there - too much, too much! (So Jerry's enlarging the whole in my brain with Spanish Jam lasers - just the kind I like - do yourself a favor, throw 6/23 on the burner; you shan't regret it! It's got a good US Blues, too. Steal your Jazz!
user picture

Member for

13 years 6 months
Permalink

Wolf sold at auction for $700,000. Does anyone even know where the Travis Bean is? I rest my case.
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

she pointed to my desk and said "whats that ?" haha,, I laughed and said its for music. It was a headset. I asked if she wanted to try ? The answer was yes, and so swiftly I pressed play on the Listening Party ,, (11.10.67) Thats It For The Other One... After that she was interested in more,, I was not sure what to play her and I located Fire on the Mountain from 5.8.77. I think that is a good start for a 5 year old.. lol
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

Sounds like she's a Pigpen person. He has that magic charm with the opposite gender. Good job, man.
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Oh no, Keithfan, I take it back! As Jerry says during some of the banter on a 1970 acoustic set, I forget which one: "Now now kids, don't fight..." Awesome description of the merits of the Boston 76 RT. You are on FIRE man. That is one of my top ten releases, period. 80s Fan, you got some great advice (yes, the two big jam segments on 11/15/71 are best all-time. You didn't mention Dick's Picks so maybe you have all of those, but just in case - the best jam segments to be found are on DP12, which is TWO second sets. A deep space jam out of WRS, and a jam into China Cat which is unbelievable. It has remained my top release since I first heard it. Basically the whole release is jam segments. BTW, one of the Travis Beans (the one he used in 77) also sold at auction a couple of years ago, but for "only" 238,000. Makes sense to me - the Wolf has that gorgeous inlay - it's just a generally beautiful guitar, whereas the Travis looks like a toy from Wal Mart. Also he played the Wolf at more shows before and after the mid-seventies, and finally, there was only one, whereas I think there were three Travis models he played. To be clear - I do not think one was better than the other - I simply have a subjective individual preference for the tone of the Travis.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

I found Deadbase 50 on Amazon. However, you can not yet pre-order. Based on David's reporting, what do you think the price tag will be?
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

To really celebrate the 50th,there will only be 5 copies,each one numbered.And a mere $5000.00 apeice. ;)
user picture

Member for

12 years
Permalink

5000 bucks a throw!!! I'll just fire up my Xerox machine and make a copy & they wonder why there are illegal copies! :-)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

I will do my best to be the first one to order. Pay $25K, and then give away the copies to the first five people on this site who can name the 2-6 songs played at opening nite of Santa Clara. I have my guess ready for tomorrow night. It is sure to be the winner.
user picture

Member for

15 years 2 months
Permalink

If we bang the drum for a complete Wall Of Sound box and end up with a nice 3 or 4 complete concert box set similar to Fillmore West 69, Winterland 73, Winterland 77, and May 77, I'd say we played our cards just exactly perfectly right.
user picture

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

Off topic, I know... But I can't resist tapping into the seeming wealth of knowledge here. Does anyone know the status of the Garcia Live series? The releases seemed to come fast and furious, but it has been a long time since the last release (Vol. 5) dropped.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 2 months
Permalink

KYTrips,Funny you should ask - there was one released this week. It is from October 28th 1987 - Broadway. Two acoustic sets and one electric. Just got it in the mail this afternoon, so I haven't been able to listen to it yet. Hoping to enjoy it on the flight to CA this weekend!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 7 months
Permalink

DeadBase 50- Fuck YES....That is some great news. As far as price- it's a 1,000 page hardcover book, maybe anywhere from $75 to $125. Could be more, probably won't be less. I'm just so glad to give my old DeadBase a rest, it's so worn. Still, for a book that's 20 years old, it's held up pretty well. DeadBase is, to me, the bible of the Grateful Dead.
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

...that the shows will be broadcast on the xbox one for $20-30 a show. Fukin awesome!! I'm in for that.... ....I could smoke a bowl on my couch without looking over my shoulder. Make sure to move the coffee table! !
user picture

Member for

10 years
Permalink

Yeah you can watch the shows on just about anything that has the YouTube app. Android,AppleTV, Chromecast, Google TV, iOS, Panasonic Smart TVs, PS3, PS4, Samsung Smart TVs, WiiU, Xbox 360, Xbox One
user picture

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

Seriously??? I wonder how it hasn't possibly shown up on my recommendations on Amazon.com? I just checked Amazon.com again... and still nothing. From where did you order it? And thanks for the heads-up.
user picture

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

I found it.... I was looking for Garcia Live, and it's under On Broadway: Act 1. Thanks for the heads-up. However, as much GD and JGB stuff as I've gotten from Amazon over the years, I still can't believe that it didn't show up in my recommendations!
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

https://archive.org/details/gd1990-06-09.sbd.miller.tetzeli.fix-6936.34… here is some thoughts from Trey on hanging with Bobby and Phil as they prepare for the 5 shows. -- Just watching them reminisce about the day they wrote “Truckin'” and laughing, that’s the stuff I love. One day, Bobby started talking about how much he loved Brent [Mydland, the Dead keyboardist who died in 1990]. He said, “Make sure you listen to those vocal harmonies from the late 1980s.” Life happens. People come and go. -- One thing for sure I learned this year and will stick in my mind each day until the end of my time,,, is all good things must come to an end.
product sku
081227955892