30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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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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January 31, 2016 - 12:28pm

#231

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

10-27-79

Those sonic anomalies were at the show. Turn it up load and at 9:20 you can hear someone in the band say "what is it?"
January 31, 2016 - 7:02am

#232

mustin321

Joined:
August 12, 2011

1989

Just listened to 10/26/1989 from this box. This is my new favorite show. Interesting songs in the 1st set and the obviously amazing Dark Star and the other jamming from the 2nd set. Hard to believe that there are still shows this good out there. The GD never cease to amaze me. Edit: I just read Peter Lavezzoli's review of this show in Deadbase. Very well written and a great description of the Dark Star.
January 31, 2016 - 6:39am

#233

ckcoffman

Joined:
August 16, 2010

Replacement discs

I thought some of you might be wondering about process for replacing defective discs. I see some people have already received some. For what it's worth, my experience was as follows: I have been creeping my way through a chronological listen to 30 Trips--just digested 1984 last night. Found along the way that the third disc of my 1977 show skipped on US Blues. Tried multiple players, etc., but no luck. Contacted dead.net customer service via email on December 11, and the reply was fairly vague: something along the lines of "we have passed this info along to the appropriate people." Followed up 2 weeks later for an update, and was told that I was in line for a replacement disc, and that I could expect the whole process to take 4-6 weeks. On Friday, 49 days after my initial email, I got a new disc 3 of 1977 in the mail. Haven't checked it out yet, but the CS process seems to be working, if somewhat slowly. I can live with that. I hope everyone else's issues are being resolved as well. Seems from many comments here that this release was a bit crazy on the CS side, even after the initial shipping debacle. While I'm at it, here are a few thoughts on the shows: sound quality on early-80s material is obviously inferior to that on many earlier shows. The 65 show is of interest historically, 66 surprisingly good, 67-74 top notch. 75-78 were a let down for me, but probably only because my expectations were so high. I had, on the other hand, low expectations for the Brent years, as they're not usually my favorite, but I have to say I've been enjoying them a lot. What really stands out are the Drumz and Space segments, and some of the looser jamming. I know some people are more into first set material, or late-show slow ballads and Bobby rockers, or whatever, but I'm happiest when they get more out, playing more free, and this happens more than I think of it happening in these early 80s shows. This seems one of the great virtues of the box: reminding listeners that they can rethink assumptions about eras. I'll still probably be more likely to reach (as I always have) for late-68>early-71 or late-73>74 than anything else after this box, but the 80s will get more time with my ears than they have in the past.
January 30, 2016 - 7:12pm

#234

prafter

Joined:
January 5, 2008

re: Odd sonic anomalies on 10/27/79's Dancing on Bolt

Yes, they appear on the USB version. starting at 9:04 and around 9:12. I don't hear any at 9:24.They appear at the same time as on the CD.
January 30, 2016 - 8:41am

#235

Lost in San Antonio

Joined:
October 6, 2015

30 Trips Scroll Question

Good morning, I had purchased this box set and it bugged me that I could not figure out which number i was out of the 6500. I didn't realize until looking at pictures of other box sets that on mine it says MIRACLE instead of a number. I remember reading about different scroll, reading the website, it says i needed to redeem by Jan 15, is there anything I can do at this time? Thanks Michael
January 30, 2016 - 7:54am

#236

boblopes

Joined:
January 13, 2009

Are Odd sonic anomalies on 10/27/79's Dancing on Bolt

If can be confirmed by any of our Boltheads out there then it's not an issue with the CD...
January 29, 2016 - 10:11pm

#237

Jason Wilder

Joined:
September 21, 2011

RIP Kantner

Been a rough patch in rock: Bowie, Frey, and now Kantner. RIP. Back to Boxzilla #2, now that Marye and Dr. Rhino got on the case. :) Blue lining this time instead of red. I'm really enjoying listening to the shows before looking at the set lists. Just makes it seem more show-like than listening to a CD. Verdicts the same as before: I really love the '67 and '69. Wish '68 was longer, but fantastic. and the '66 was a very pleasant surprise.
January 29, 2016 - 3:32pm

#238

Born Cross Eye…

Joined:
August 25, 2008

Odd sonic anomalies on 10/27/79's Dancing In The Street

Reading thru this thread, I see some folks have problems with disc 2 of 10/27/79, so I checked it out for myself.I hear this distortion / odd digi-noise during Dancing In The Street at 9:04-5 and about 9:13-15. I heard it when I first played the show not too long after I got the 30TATS box, I took it as noise on the original master cassettes, "sonic gremlins" I did not hear any sonic anomalies at 9:24. I still take these noises on the original master cassettes as original imperfections on the tape, made either on the date - 10/27/79 or during playback at sometime before 2015. I don't have my original cassettes or CD-Rs to compare with, but I'm happy with the inclusion of this show in this box. But I'd rather have it "just exactly perfect" What do I do?
January 29, 2016 - 2:39pm

#239

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Couldn't Let That Deal Go Down!

I was always looking at the "1967-11-10 - Shrine Exposition Hall" in vinyl, but couldn't justify the expense. I haven't spun a lp for YEARS, got a closet filled with vinyl, just don't have a turntable set up anymore. But I did like the idea of the Shrine show and them only putting out 6700 copies. I thought this thing will be worth a few bucks down the road. I have the 30 Trips Box, so I have the show in digital. I had just looked at Amazon and they had one listed, still had to resist temptation. Then my wife got a $50 gift card from her investment company (who have been doing a very shitty job and are about to be dropped). She was like, oh you can have it, I already have almost 200 bucks worth that people gave me for Christmas to get kindle books with, go ahead use it! I was like you sure? So I ordered a copy today and only put out 20 bucks! So on the shelf it goes unopened. I figure 5 years from now it goes for 1.2 mill and my wife can retire! :-)But really, I've been thinking about pulling the sound system out of moth balls and this will give me a good reference, will be able to compare digital and vinyl. In the mean time will look good on shelf next to all the box sets. Yay, me!
January 29, 2016 - 12:38pm

#240

Sixtus_

Joined:
November 8, 2014

re: Static on Dancin' 79/Boxzilla

Daverock - not sure if it is the same static I hear, but around 9:14 on this Dancin' in the Street there is some mad static that erupts for just a moment or two; it is clearly an artifact happening at the actual show, because all of the musicians back off for a moment after it resolves, then they pick back up again. If this is the same moment you are referencing, rest assured it is not a faulty disc, but one of the warts of the otherwise excellent show. The same static is recollected from the cassette I used to have of this show as well, in the same spot. Rock onward, upward. Sixtus

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

Sorry

Shitty day. My apologies.;0)

30 trips box

Hi dead land I just had to cancel my order am recovering from my 3rd back surgery I'm really embarrassed for even asking a miracle for this box set but I am don't want to tell my hole storyy so people feel sorry for me but this is now the only way I would be able to get my hands on this I'm a mojar 80s-90s fan so this is the best release by far for me if no one can all good peice everyone and I also have the 73 and 77 box sets with bonus CDs with both boxes I would give if I get the help

Loser

Loser from 3/24/90 simply SMOKES!

All the years combine ...

I've come to appreciate the band's 30 year journey as one long trip with many peak experiences. I can't quite wrap my head around a favorite era, but rather acknowledge there were some consistently strong years, show in, show out. Sort of like that roller coaster ride where the car slowly climbs upwards out of the gate, you just know you're going to enjoy the ride. 1967, peaking with the thrill of the initial rush, release and momentum that carried them through to '71 when they began a second ascent. Climbing to another mountain peak 1972, running in full tight jam-mode through '74. For me, another peak around 1977 although shorter and not quite as brilliant. Then some new sparks with Brent and the acoustic sets in '80. Must have dropped a second hit early 1987 which initiated a second-wave that spiraled upwards to space, gaining speed and transcending time through the Spring '90. After that it was all downhill from there, all-be-it a mostly soft landing. But looking back it really was all-good. I love this music!

30 years

Thirty years of rapture.

Guests

Hi bolo24, I'm late to the game of guessing guest appearances for this weekend, but what the hay. Guests = 2 First Guest = David Nelson I noticed weeks ago that NRPS are playing in Chicago this weekend, with a late show time each night. By the way, I (we) enjoy the clues you provide regarding the upcoming Dave's Picks releases. Do you mind giving us a clue for Dave's Picks 15 once the '50th Anniversary' weekend hoopla quiets down? Gracias muchas! -Andy

Ugh

Please ignore my previous post. My careless arse posted my guess to the entire board. I guess I'm disqualified (although confident in my guess). Y'all enjoy Chicago this weekend!

Tonight's opener

For some reason I'm thinking shakedown or help/slip frank opener, help/slip possibly to start 2nd set If not 1st

Wow, Minas

I'm a '68-'77 guy, and we're all entitled to our opinion, but maybe "travesty" is a bit of hyperbole? Spring '90 might not be a "just exactly perfect" tour, but it's definitely the best run since Summer '85, and possibly since Spring '78. 3/24/90 is an all-time show, and there are some seriously great moments to be had in 3/16, 3/22, 3/29, 3/30, and 4/1. One can definitely hear Jerry's decline from '77 on (with mini-revivals sprinkled throughout), but I don't think even '95 is a "travesty". It's just not as good as '90, which isn't as good as '77, which isn't as good as '74, and so on. I agree that FW69 and E72 are THE releases so far, but you can't listen to 26 shows for the rest of your life. Try Spring '90 again. It's still better than anything without Jerry on it, and you may be surprised. At the very least, it keeps the REALLY good stuff ('72-'74) from getting stale.

Howdy Mr Jack Straw

I think Mina's post was implying a travisity in regard to the ravage that drugs brought on the band. Maybe the music isn't to his liking, but the point that Jerry could be with us in Chicago this weekend, but isn't, is the product of bad choices.Writing on these boards can be a difficult way to make ones point. I could be wrong, but that's what I got from it. Cheers to all. 3 shows left, wow.

1980 in Lakeland

My profile picture is from this,show. Think I got a tshirt with the Dead Ahead pict. Tampa, Daytona, Reddick, Micanopy and Orlando friends along. Great show. I've got the Jester shirt on.

Seminole Steve

Let's hear it for F L A

Instead of blowing my money on fireworks....

....I blew it on tonight's show. But, that's not really blowing it, now is it?

just bought a simulcast ticket for 7/5/15

:))) Air conditioned theater in a big seat. Yeah.

You and me both, Vguy

I was checking out a few snippets of last night's show on YouTube and it was really quite good. The nostalgia bug bit me hard and I just had to get the ppv for tonight. Got my wine in hand, and ready to rock. Happy 4th all God bless America, and God bless the Grateful Dead

Cumberland repeat....

...fukin A. Best song to decide on...

Yep. A good move.

Now I wish I was there.. but some years you can't do it all, now.. can you. Glad I can at least stream it. ..and yes, Dantian.. enjoying a good bottle of red myself.

Mr. Bob Dylan

Here's to hoping Mr. Tambourine Man himself shows up tomorrow night.Cheers & Happy 4th folks! ;)

Grateful Phish!

I've been a Dead fan since '76 when I heard a radio show from Boston Music Hall. Got tons of music, like so many do. Since '99 I've been really loving Phish and I think this line up with Trey is just pure heaven. :). Happy 4th everyone!!

Grateful Phish!

Feel the same, Jim

After watching some of last night's recaps, and getting all teary eyed and sentimental (wife walked in and was like, "Are you OK?" lol) I was actually looking for tickets online this morning and scheming about going to Chicago last minute. She was not down with such craziness, though. Sure wish I was there now.

Absolutely!

I actually got teary-eyed. Seeing the guys together again having so much fun... Just brought back so many memories.

set list?

Can someone post the setlist or a link for tonight's show? Any thoughts or reviews? A while back I posted about telling my cousin about purchasing the new box and how I was a bit embarrassed to tell him how much it cost. He called me this morning and said he couldn't resist yesterday and spent almost $800 on two tickets for him and his girlfriend last night. He was pumped about the show and that almost inspired me to buy the PPV. But the only option on Comcast seemed to be $40--I've got plenty of video that I virtually never watch so pulled out Crimson White and Indigo and watched that instead. Pretty kick ass show and Phil is on. Maybe I'll spend the money tomorrow night...

Possible guests

I think Bob Dylan is touring Europe right now so he seems to be doubtful for tomorrow night. Funny that there's been no chatter about Bolo's latest contest. My first thought was that the best guess would be no guests at all since that might somehow take away from the "core four" who are already sharing the spotlight with Trey and Bruce (and Chementi). But I was/am really hoping for an appearance by Donna Jean; and David Nelson seemed to be a natural fit since NRPS is in Chicago. If he wasn't invited to play on Ripple or FOTD it seems doubtful he'll be there tomorrow.Since so many people made the same guess at the very first minute in the last contest I decided to go out on a limb with a far out guess: Keith Richards. The Stones were in Indy on the 4th so maybe he'll stop by for a Satisfaction encore or first set closer. Actually, that sounds beyond ridiculous. What was I thinking?

Possible Guests TOO

Yes, no chatter about guests. In typical fashion, I missed the time for the Bolo contest (significantly). So in the five min or so it took to think up some names and check their tour schedules, I realized every fucking body (except me) is in Chicago right now. Melvin Seals, David Grisman, David Nelson, Mahatma Gandhi, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Janice, Jimi (I can do this all night.).. So I frantically put five names down, quick, and hit send, quick. Only after I hit send did I began to give it some serious attention, but surly in jest.. I am no better at solving Bolo clues than I at double Jeopardy. one edit: for me, Jorma would be a welcomed guest. He did a masterful job on Sugaree at the Dear Jerry show, really special. Plus, did anyone else besides me pick up on what a beautiful new guitar he was sporting? A magnificent instrument. By the way, what about Phil's (new to me) bass? Another spectacular instrument, real art and I'm happy to see these guys use them.

Setlist Chicago 7.4.15

been tryin Space, it's ruff out there...Set:1 Shakedown Liberty M&MU Standing on the Moon Tennessee Jed Cumberland! Rooster FOTD Deal Set:2 Bird Song THE GOLDEN ROAD!!! Lost Sailor> Saint of Circumstance!!! West LA Fadeaway (THIS is when Bruce & Trey took hold of the drivin') Foolish Heart> Drumz/Space!!> Stella Blue> Saturday Night ~~~~~~~~~~~~ US Blues (Fireworks to orchestra music, with Phil on stage mock-conducting, classic stuff!!) set:2 pre-drumz was well over an hour... & was absolutely fantastic! ♤

Chicago

To Go OR NOT To GoSure I Would Love to be there through the good, bad, and ... I'm in Northern Michigan, I think I hear it across Lake Michigan. Yes, Satellite radio with pre-show commentary from our Tales from the Golden Road Boys. Just to hear the music Kicks Ass. Saw 1st Santa Clara thru nugs/MLB (trademark/steal your face) Think I'll stream video again Sunday. SOUNDS GRATE!!!

Oh Chicago

Man, I sure wish I could make a show this weekend. The universe worked completely against me starting from before the mail order, Ticketmaster on sale date and a number of other attempts to score a ticket for any show. I watched the PPV on Friday and it has only made me wish I was there all that much more. Damn I live close to Chicago and got totally shut out from a once in a lifetime experience. ;( A lot of it is nostalgia, but, when it's done, it's done, and all that will be left will be the memories. I'm lucky that I got to see them as often as I did when Jerry was alive and am Grateful for that. Admittedly, it's going to be tough to not sulk for a while though for missing out on this weekend (I tried)... ...unless they decide to say "fuck it, we're not ready to retire yet". Wishful thinking....sigh...

Set Lists...

I couldn't help but think that a couple of these set lists would have really pissed off some folks here. I went Friday and loved it, and couldn't believe how much of Blues For Allah they played. No disappointments for me, and Ripple is my favorite song on the planet, so to hear it semi-acoustic for the first time since Radio City was truly special. Seems like there have been two shows out of four where they haven't ventured beyond '78 in their set list, with night 1 in Santa Clara being the most focused on early stuff. I'm going with my wife tonight and looking forward to another memorable show. I thought about my Friday show all day Saturday. I can't remember the last time that happened after a concert. I would think there would be no guests based on the first 4 shows, except for Bolo's contest. I think it would be cool if the opened with Tomorrow Is Forever, sung by special guest Donna Jean Godchaux. But I don't get to officially guess, since I am already basking in the glow of my recent Bolo Contest. Have fun tonight. I'd be very surprised if the set list was as "mundane" as last night. Either way, I am sure there will be tears shed.

better review of 7.4.15 on the FTW Complete boxset thread...

agreed 'cuse that 1st set last night took a minute to come together & the list wasn't so awesome (check out my extensive review on the FTW Complete boxset thread) but that second set was dizzying......where u sittin tonight?? tryin to say hey to anyone on this thread who's in the house!! (DEFINITELY see u later, Rory!!) everyone have an EPIC final show, wherever you're enjoying it!!! Not Fade Away opener tonight!!!!! ♤

We'll be in section 332.

sweet, thanx...

...hope to meet u later!

Trade

Hello everyone just wanted to no if anyone was interested in trading I have 73 box and 77 box both with bonus CDs am looking for Dave's picks 1-10 if anyone wants to make a deal pm me thx

Jim, re: Possible Guests

I didn't know Grisman was in town, thanks for the heads up. I would love to see him make an appearance, it would be very fitting.

can someone post link?

can someone post link to live broadcast please-7/5/15

Link

mlb.dead50.com should work. They're getting a late start.. I think you still have time. ..yes, Dantian, would love to see half the other bands that are currently playing in Chitown sit in for a song, including the Dog. Good times..

miracle link

need miracle link please

I totally agree with you. I

MinusMorgal--I totally agree with you. I went to my first show in 1985 and ended up going to 23 overall. Most were great, a couple not so good. But now I find myself only listening to shows up through early 1978. I can't listen to anything after that, including any of the shows I went to. I'm kind of glad I didn't know how great the early stuff was back then.

Buzzed & honest...

How anybody could find 3-29-90 a travesty is WAAAYYY beyond me.One of the greatest recordings of ANY kind of music of all time. Uh...in my opinion.

Fall 94

Was listening to some shows from fall 94 over the weekend (mostly because it was my last favorite tour) and man, Oct was something else....definitely some stinkers, but between 10/1, 10/5, 10/14, 10/18 and others, there was definitely something fun happening with the band! Hope everyone enjoyed the shows this weekend!

The contest that wasn't

Well, so much for guessing the guests - a big "nada!" I had been hoping for Donna Jean on a couple tunes and at least a cameo by Robert Hunter, but I guess this really was all about the "core four." Needless to say, no one guessed "zero" and "nobody," so I'll roll the prize(s) over to another contest in the future. So, farewell to "Fare Thee Well." Some great moments in those 5 shows. In the meantime, life goes on. And the music never stopped.

30 Trips...

OK, now can we see the box? pretty please??????

Re: jrf & 3/29/90

I got your back on 3/29, jrf, one of the truly great shows in GD history. I have had a good board of that show for as long as I can remember. There's youtube coverage of a good bit of that show also. but when I cycled through Spring '90, in its entirety.. it was the under the radar shows that captured my attention. I thought 3/14 and 3/28 sounded fresh and spirited. Sometimes its how a show compares to expectations that's grabs you. A lot like the Fare Thee Well shows, exceeded my expectations. My views are much like rdevil's. I have my favorite shows/era's/styles, but what I like certainly spreads beyond years and band lineups.

jrf68 / jackstraw2222

jack straw - thanks for getting what I was saying. jrf68 - I'm saying that I have no choice but to listen to a show like 3/29/90 in its proper historical context, which is in comparison to performances by the "old" Grateful Dead. For me and many others, it stings the ears to hear Brent Mydlands backup vocals and keyboards on songs like Cassidy, The Wheel, Bertha, Eyes of the World, Estimated Prophet etc, and by comparison, it is a travesty (in the literal meaning of the word); which is to say, a substandard, inadequate representation of something that was originally much better. His vocals just don't sound good on those old songs to me and many others, so it kind of ruins those songs for us. That's all I'm talking about. Never in a million years could I put on Bertha from 1990, compare it to any performance between '71 and '78, and say, yeah, this is the better version. I'm just not a fan of that plinky keyboard sound or overwhelmingly loud Hammond organ; and Brent sounds like he's struggling for breath when he sings, so it just results in this quotient that KILLS old Grateful Dead songs. That's how I can say it's a travesty. What I was really asking was how can the fans of these shows not feel the same way? I haven't really heard an answer. I've gotten a lot of flak, particularly in the PMs (which I won't reply to - man up and say it in public), but really, I'm just asking how? Maybe it's simple and the folks that love it have never heard Bertha performed at Venetta or a number of times on Europe '72; or perhaps they don't like tube amps or tape hiss - I don't know, nobody has said. I would add - I may be one of the few Bruce / Vince fans, as I do enjoy some stuff from their era. I know Jerry wasn't sounding so hot by then, but I'm saying that the keyboards and backing vocals aren't ruining the performance for me. I'm looking forward to the 30 Trips representations from these years.

Declining Vocals

..have to agree with you on declining vocals. There are some horrendous out of tune vocals in the early years too(Pigpen, of course, excluded). I guess I am solidly in the corner of I'm in it for the songs and I'm in it for the jams. Watching Fare Thee Well come and go, I forgot how much the rich fabric of songwriting affects me. Got to give it to the band for creating a rich tapestry of material to play with. That's a big part of the legacy for me. Let there be songs, to fill the air. Anyway.. to all parties, I bet the glue that binds us is stickier than the forces that separate us. We are talking about the same band, just which snippets of time cast the strongest spell.

Travesty?

Does anybody honestly believe that the Dead would have broken sales records at Soldier Field in 2015 and sold $200-$700 CD box sets entirely based on what transpired prior to 1979 and had the Dead stopped touring and recording during the Keith and Donna era? This music has touched each of us all in each our own way and everybody has their favorites. For me, I'm drawn to the high energy and intensity level of the Brent era.

Not being kind to the Brent Era

Just to preface, my 40 some odd live attended GD shows were from 85-94. With the bulk of them taking place in the travesty years. And yes I now most certainly prefer 68-78 shows but to say that the 3/29/90 show & other peak moments from those years are a travesty because of Brent's plinky keys & out of breath vocals is just plain old rude & insulting. I am most certainly an anti midi, anti bad 80's keys & anti non tube amps kind of guy. But there was still plenty of magic in the air, just not as much as years prior. The 3/29/90 show was indeed the best GD concert I have ever attended. I don't feel the same way as you that the songs were ruined. They are basically different interpretations paired with different sounding instruments & amps. But not as radically different as a 1968 Dancing to a 1978 Dancing. Time marches on & yes things do change, but I am particularly happy that the band carried on after 1978. My wife certainly does not look like she did 25 years back, should I simply move on? I think your point has been made and you can choose to ignore anything post 1978. But realize you are slighting those of us that are enjoying this current reunion and the 80's era. That being said I really had a blast last night catching the simulcast at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. Been a great celebration the last couple of weekends seeing so many people get their Dead on. Cheers to the core 4 plus Bruce, Trey & Jeff!

Hunter

I was not at any of the shows, I'm curious if Robert Hunter's contributions were specifically highlighted/thanked as part of the gigs. Or those of any of the lyricists.

Hyperbole [hahy-pur-buh-lee]

noun, Rhetoric 1. obvious and intentional exaggeration. 2. an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity” or "the Dead with Brent were a travesty". 3. a travesty of idiomatic convention employed with reckless abandon in a polarized society for which reasoned and proportionate reaction has become anathema. Good grief!/K

Spring 90 T00

One of my favorite shows is 3/25. Another is 3/21. I think the Albany run and the Copps "mini-run" are fantastic. and I agree, 3/14 is an awesome show in itself! Take care folks! Daves 15 any day now people. Waiting for that '71 show announcement!

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