30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

7,852 replies

admin

Joined:
March 9, 2007

"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

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December 8, 2015 - 7:42am

#841

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Multi-Headed Buddha

I think it was Phil that described the concept of the album art for Anthem as a multi-headed Buddha of the same being. I feel the same way about the different line-ups. Different heads of the same Buddha. You wouldn't have (quite) the thundering crescendo of Terrapin or the driving polyrhythmic beat of Sampson with one drummer, but you don't (quite) get the same turn on a dime jive swing in the Eyes>China doll, DS>MLB, etc. with two drummers. And it wouldn't be the same Grateful Dead without all the incarnations. Great discussion, there's truth in all of it. I love it all and it all appeals to me at different times and places.
December 8, 2015 - 6:51am

#842

Ziffle

Joined:
July 21, 2015

Mickey & 1978

I'm with Spacebrother on Mickey. Kreutzman is a great drummer, but bringing MIckey back, for me, restored the band musically. As far as 1978 is concerned, my recollection from concerts at the Hartford and Providence Civic Center in particular is that the Dead were incredible, with a huge sound. The problem, I believe, is that none of the recordings (at least that I've heard), capture the sound of the band. What we get from these soundboards (and the scattered audience recordings) is a bare shadow of what was going on musically. The same holds true for the Wall of Sound period. I have never heard a recording that did justice to 1973-1974 and 1978-1979. I am barely able to listen to recordings from those periods. The band played around a lot with the sound of the various arenas and outdoor venues. Particularly Garcia, Lesh, Hart. These sports stadiums (Providence, Hartford) and in 73-74 Roosevelt Stadium (out doors), had extraordinarily long reverb and the band used the sound reflected off the back and sides (in the case of the indoor arenas) as a musical element. I remember during one "drums" segment, Hart riffing off the reverb with his giant hanging drum. I clearly remember Garcia effectively doing double solos by playing off the reflected sound in the area. What we are getting with these little stereo recordings in one half of the music, not what the audience heard. I don't have any of the Dave's series, so I have not idea if those recordings are good or not, but I suspect that the only way to recreate the sound (at least to an extent) would be to play back a perfect soundboard at concert volume in the venue where it was recorded. Maybe someone else who attended those shows can comment.
December 8, 2015 - 6:21am

#843

JeffSmith

Joined:
June 9, 2014

Miss you too, John.

Has it really been 35 years? . . .
December 7, 2015 - 10:16pm

#844

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

I agree....

....the eight-limbed monster lifts me up more often than not....it is was it was. The Grateful Dead....welcome to it. ...and yes, Mr. Strang, you are spot on in regards to Jerry's habit I believe.... ...listening to the 11.15.72 OKC Playin right now....excuse me.
December 7, 2015 - 9:32pm

#845

SPACEBROTHER

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Mickey

I disagree that the bands sound degraded with Mickey's return. It was a necessary transition for what the Dead were aiming for. A refined approach with tighter vocal harmonies and overall more polish. Blues For Allah is a testament for the bands blend of refinement and still experimental side. Help>Slip>Franklin's, Music Never Stopped, Crazy Fingers and Stronger Than Dirt should never be considered "dumbed down". Ultimately, it's all good to me, but like everybody else, I have my favorite eras. I might listen to the rockier '80's and early '90s more than the earlier stuff, but get back to the older stuff when I'm in the mood. It's all subjective to personal taste.
December 7, 2015 - 7:03pm

#846

Gr8fulTed

Joined:
July 9, 2007

USB in the mail

In reference to the forum topic, the elusive 30 Trips thumb drive just might finally show up in my mailbox! Hope it holds up when I plug it into the pc.
December 7, 2015 - 4:27pm

#847

DaveStrang

Joined:
November 9, 2011

In Agreement

Keithfan I'm in agreement with you as well as others that Mickey's return "dumbed down" the band's overall sound. I think Billy K was no longer the powerhouse he was before Mickey's return. I also think Keith's role in the band was diminished by his return. As for 1978 the Dead have always been known to "circle the wagons" when a problem arose. While JG may have been having relationship/personal problems the biggest threat to the band was the big white powered elephant in the room: HEROIN. No ONE, musician or housepainter was ever their most prolific nor productive while using 'junk'. While camping for tickets in March 1977 their was talk as well as concern (even then) that he was using. As anyone who has used even narcotic painkillers will tell you the more you use, the more your tolerance builds, the more you need for the desired effect. A 2-3 week break that March could have provided for one hell of a junk bender that could have affected the band's performances as well as his tolerance/need. I've always felt the back half of 1978 2nd sets always seemed to fall off/apart which I think was JG anticipating hitting the smack pipe. Had the band intervened at that point would it have made a difference? The band always had a "live and let live" attitude so would they have even done anything back then is the million dollar question. There's no way of knowing if he would have even responded to outside interference since JG seemed to be a VERY strong-willed man so it may have made no difference at all. What I do know is the world lost one of it's greatest musicians to that sh*t. The thought that terrifies me is how many more will we lose? I'm signing off on this rant now and wish you all the best.
December 7, 2015 - 3:24pm

#848

One Man

Joined:
May 17, 2011

Oops

Yeah, forgot about Rocking the Cradle (Egypt '78). Ouch. Not so good to my ears. I can hear Billy's broken arm all over that thing. I do love the RT From Egypt With Love. It's spotty, with some really good spots.
December 7, 2015 - 1:53pm

#849

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

Nice Link Kayak Guy / One Man 1978

Good article. I've posted here how much Mickey's return in '76 degraded the quality of their music, so it's nice to see this point of view validated by someone close to the band. I am not a fan of what Mickey's return did to the sound, especially in the context of what it did to Keith's ability to contribute. "ROB KORITZ (Musician): The musical quality declined over time, and I think part of that was having two drummers." One Man - I'm on board about DP 25. I revisit once in awhile, trying to get it to grow on me, most recently last week. Also agree about 1978 in general - I like it a lot, although I do have trouble finding anything satisfying in Road Trips '78. I love about half of Rocking The Cradle; the other half (including the bonus disc) suffers from the same thing that DP 25 and RT '78 suffer from. I'm not jazzed about the 30 Trips release from May '78 either - suffers from the same (I admit I've only listened to it 5 or 6 times before "giving up" on it - I would be happy to hear something great about it that reels me back in, as I would be happy to be wrong about what I thought was only a mediocre Dead show). I think Lemieux hit the nail on the head in his liner notes for DaP 15 (which is now one of my all time favorite DaP releases, and really, one of my favorite post-hiatus shows altogether), when he basically said that something big went kaflooey when they came back from a 2-3 week break after 4/24. I think the Closing of Winterland is a redeemer, much more akin to how well they played up through 4/24.
December 7, 2015 - 1:12pm

#850

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Fare Thee Well commemorative ticket question

was the ticket for each night (July 3-5) same length and width ? I saw a ticket from 4th of July (Section: Press Pass) that is about a quarter inch shorter in length compared to the sweet final night pass from TheeAmazingAce333. I know the ticket Ace gave me is legit cause it was right before he predicted Unbroken Chain out of space ! Wow good call on that, still cant believe you had that one "Listening for the secret, searching for the sound"

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

"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

with

7/5/15 set 2 ending with Playing In The Band reprise!!! then encores

DP 15

8/4/76 with separate DVD or Blu-Ray release later on in the year. Just a WILD guess, HAPPY THURSDAY DEADLAND!!!!!!!

jrf68

Good call. I had to laugh when I read it I was reminded of a show God knows when or where. They encore with Brokedown maybe even 2nd can't remember. We're leaving and someone says wait maybe they'll come back. I said no way they've played Breakdown that would be a good way to walk into the sunset

I hope...

..that surprises are a plenty...Trey covering Terrapin would be nice..let's hope!!

Twenty Years ago today...

Final show I saw- RFK 6/25/95.Oh and the first song is gonna be Passenger

Psssst!

Hey Dave! While everybody's distracted,drop the Swing for 15 or 16.Thanks ;)

Psssst

I think we need to take Dave out and get him good and liquored up.. grease the wheels and get some more righteous music flowing our way. Swing, yes please. Then how about a mini, off the radar RFK/Kezar '73 offering, and throw in a couple WOS as we get him to start nodding off. Good idea, jrf. There's some WV moonshine that floats around these parts that must have some Owsley magic left in it. Lets give him a highball glass of White Lightnin' and see what happens?

Awwww what the hell....

....I went with Viola Lee Blues. It goes to show, you don't ever know....

By the way....

....pay attention to the listening party. It changes every five days or so....

Openning/closing guesses

Golden RoadWe Bid You Goodnight Marty

Show opener . . .

Beat It On Down the Line, with a 50-beat opener, with a huge number on the big screen counting the beats from 1 up to 50 (for 50 years, get it?).

Jim, Jrf

Don't mean a thing, if we don't get that Swing. Count me in! Also would very gladly take Kezar, RFK, PNE, (dare I even say Curtis Hixon?) Really, any and all of the thus far criminally under-represented '73 is fine with me. Bring it on.

Solid Sound?

Anyone here going to be at the Wilco Solid Sound Festival in North Adams, MA? I'm most excited about seeing the Charles Lloyd Quartet, actually. Anyway, I'm volunteering at the festival as a "Green Team Leader" to help with recycling and composting. Should be pretty easy to find :) (Follow your nose to the compost bins ha har).

6/27 Opener

One More Saturday Nite>Bertha>Greatest Nancy said don't get crazy Ron you know what just to do. Enjoy the show all, damn I miss Jerry.

fair thee well

I have zero interest in thses shows of the box with it but see it like an over priced concert t-shirt. Something people will buy who go to see these shows. It will sell well at the shows but don't think hard core dead collectors will have that much interest. the big box seems like they avoided shows that might interfere with a future box or seminal dead release but though the variety of shows and eras will be my most listened to box.. i am not a huge 90s guy 69-85 but the spring boxes are growing on me to the point they are most listened to because of their sound quality variety of songs and are well played. All the other boxes have better shows but like europe 72 and the fillmore west but the sameness work against them.

Question re Santa Clara YouTube PPV

Thinking of purchasing the YouTube PPV tomorrow..anybody knows if you can only watch it live, or will Youtube keep it up a few days? Won't be home on time on Sunday, hoping I can catch it later. Thanks!

Re: Cousins

If you go to the Youtube Fare Thee Well sight, it says live stream and gives a countdown to when the stream will start. For the life of me, I can't imagine they would lock into a rigid timeslot like that though.. If your on the East Coast, it would be great to watch half and catch the second set the next day.. I'm hoping for a Help>Slip>Franks with a blazing Hornsby piano meltdown embedded somewhere in the transition or Franklins Jam.

Thx Jim

Also, I just called Youtube, the stream will be available for 24 hours after the event. Not a bad deal for $19.99. I'll have Shakedown St. in the kitchen, and gold circle seating on the couch :-)

My Wife's Prediction for first song...

...and she's not a Deadhead by the way but she has become very tolerant. Mason's Children I was sort of shocked she even knew that title of a song but then when I got to thinking about it that would be pretty special. We shall see. Enjoy the shows everyone!

Santa Clara webcast

According to the official page The MLB.com has a 30 day unlimited period of access to the rebroadcast and the youtube version seems like a 1 day event. With the MLB version you can go visit friends and rewatch it at their place.

Disappointed

So, now as fully expected, the video of the shows are for sale. The prices seem quite high. I'm not sure I would pay that much for three shows when Jerry was alive and playing. Like some of the other folks who posted, I would probably watch the video for free, but not interested in paying for it (at least right now). My biggest disappointment is in the all-or-nothing 30 trips sets. I would certainly be interested in say a five pack of my choice for $125 or something like that. But the full 30 and no split options except the "Best of", which is not for me. I'm fine with the offerings and prices for anyone who finds them fair. Sadly, for me I'm just disappointed.

Back to regularly scheduled previous trips programing

6/26/74 aka Dick's 12 - stare inducing GOGD at its best. Nada mas.

Listening party pt. 3

Goodies:)

Masons Great Grand Children

Dead Heads 8 to 88 will be in attendance tomorrow, Sunday and next weekend. My first live GD song was Masons Children over 45 years ago. My last live GD song was Liberty in Salt Lake City over 20 years ago. Both seem apropos for my journey through life.

This sound check is good.

This sound check is good. anyone else listening?

Yeah, I'm listening....

....the tracks sound great. I really didn't want SOTM to end....great stuff.

opening song

Jack straw , Stranger

Sound Check Set List from last night

Althea, Brown Eyed Women, Truckin, Uncle John's Band jam, [airplane noises, Bobby wants more monitor], UJB jam, Alligator x2, [security guard sunset aficionado], Cumberland Blues, Born Cross-eyed, Cream Puff War, St. Stephen>The Eleven>William Tell>Eleven>[dogs barking]>Lovelight, Space, Drums

"Name That Song" contest

Final tally: 73 entries, 32 different songs. 73 - hmmm. Wonder if that means anything?? Everyone have a blast tonight. Enjoy the music and hug somebody!

name that song

I ended up picking Viola Lee because I missed the 6:00 start time and figured Music Never Stopped was chosen by a lot. I wish I had thought about Unbroken Chain, though. I think that could be an amazing opener for tonight.

Dang you bolo24,, 73 ?

I would like to think that means you have a crispy soundboard recording of the Playing in the Band from 6.26.73,, that you will be sending out to all 73 entrants in the "Name That Song" contest ?? EDIT: it could also mean the Promised Land is the opener, same as 1973

First choice from the box set?

I pulled the trigger on the big box. My question is for those who also ordered, what will be the FIRST show you listen to? I think mine will be 10/12/84. Although I've had a copy for years, I really want to hear it remastered, and hopefully the Dew in its entirety. What say you?

first choice, either 69-70-72-81-89

not sure but those look pretty appetizing to me

Re: hed76

First, Congrats on scoring the box. I'm probably going to go in order.. but in all honesty, 10/12/84 has my attention. I, too, have had this forever.. and my MDew has an audience patch right when it starts to get good. The same thing with my William and Mary '73.. just when it gets heady, theres a tape flip/aud patch. I cant see them releasing without cleaning it up, can you? ..and I bet this takes months to get through all these shows in a meaningful manner.

Agreed Jim

I've heard a board of '84 Augusta that almost had a complete Dew, but I really hope they've got the complete show done. I'm also really looking forward to the Golden Gate park '75. Though I've got a copy of that too, the remastered version must be amazing. Such a unique sound for that year, and so few shows..

An option

for how to listen to Boxzilla is from the day you get it - ship is 9/18? - by date. 9/24/72 followed by GGP would be a fine way to start your listening experience, no? And, of course, you'll have both 9/18/74 & 9/18/87 from which to choose to close. Happy listening, y'all.

The 1st show on my "listening party"

Will be 10/27/79, I spent $758.08 JUST for that one, however you can be rest assured EVERY show chosen is worthy to be included in this box. Am I the only one surprised that this hasn't sold out yet, let's see what happens AFTER the FTW shows. There might be a "rush" to dead.net with credit/debit cards in hand. HAPPY SATURDAY, DEADLAND!!!!!!!

Sunday 6/28

Hey there - THis is a Loooonnnngggg shot but here goes: Would anyone that is already going to the Santa Clara show on Sunday who has (2) GA lawn seats like to trade for section 127 row 11 seats 17 & 18 tickets? These are directly behind the stage. I am trying to get with my friends who are all down on the lawn. shoot me a message if you could be my Miracle! -B

;-)

I'm gonna listen to the bonus disc first!

Almost showtime....

....and I must admit, I'm getting tingly. ...

first song

Is reportedly (I'm not streaming this one) Truckin'

3 minutes in

The boys may prove me to be an idiot over the next week, but halfway thru Truckin the live show seems a much better buy then the dvd, so many memories watching the show live , but I doubt I'll want to replay this later. Live is powerful though, combo of the now plus all those memories..

Cumberland Blues

Man, Trey and Bruce are having fun together. 1. Truckin 2. UJB 3. Alligator-> 4. Cumberland Blues

Go Trey!

Cream Puff War yeah!

SC

...Born Cross Eyed -> Cream Puff war

Viola!!!

They've settled into a nice groove... Right on....

Jam

Where's this jam from on the YouTube PPV?

Can't wait for Chi-town!

Wow, looks like a great setlist and show!Will have to wait till the 3rd Congrats mb for guessing Truckin. Either had to be that or PITB.I think PITB would have been the perfect opener, but truckin made more sense.

Second Set

Long set break. The break was longer than the first set, about 1 hour 20 minutes. EE into D. Star to start off. The theme thus far has been 60's songs for the most part. I'm wondering if they plan to have set lists progressively forward in time for the next four shows.

2nd set

Cryptical -> Dark Star Phil vocals a little on the rough side.

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