30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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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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June 14, 2015 - 2:35pm

#6701

Oxford 88

Joined:
April 28, 2012

Old battle rages on

The debate regarding official releases vs. bootlegs has been going on forever; only the playing field has changed. Gone are the days when 10 of us would hunker down with boxes of cassettes and tape decks daisy-chained together to record WHRB's Dead Marathons. For any New Englander in the late 70's, early 80's, your tape collection had more than a few of these shows for sure. It was hard to build a collection; building a relationship with other traders, dubbing in real time, adding killer Philler-actually that was a very fun part of trading, mailing boxes back and forth and the cost. Imagine paying (without inflation) $3.00 for one 80 minute CD-R or over $6.00 for 1 gigabyte of storage on a hard drive. I had over 500 cassettes of live Dead. Many of these sounded awful, but I loved them all. The opening of the Betty storage locker hit like a sonic tsunami with great performances captured in crystal clear recordings (leading to the rise of Cornell 77 to instant "GREATEST!" status) Being a taper was even harder. Buying and schlepping equipment, hassling with security, finding a sweet spot, remembering to flip the tape. Not to mention the people begging for a copy. We owe everything we have today to the traders and tapers who built the infinite audio history we have at our disposal. If this did not occur, would we even be having this conversation? The tape trading world created the hunger for official releases, not the other way around. As I sit here with the majority of official releases over my shoulder and a few TB of gathered shows to my right, I once again consider some of the classic questions: Are the sharing sites, still so vibrant, illegal in posting soundboards? Does the highly professional work of Charlie Miller or Hunter Seamons exceed the quality of shows officially recordings? Who cares? Goodness, gracious, sakes alive! (Sorry, I just finished reading a John Wooden biography) We really do have it all at this point. Consistent official releases with top quality sound and packaging, access to streaming and torrent sites. Internet speeds that enable us to pull in a 3.5 hour show in about 7 minutes (back in the stone age of DSL, it would take a couple of days). Should we be continuing to trade soundboards online? I believe that if the band wanted to shut down the more blatant sites, they would. As these sites quietly operate in the quiet corners of the www, I am guessing it is not worth the bother. The Archive decision made a statement, but it was by no means the end of the game. Some of my longtime fellow travelers have never spent a dime on an official release, others are avid collectors, awaiting each new release with great anticipation. I am pretty much down the middle. I spend more on the official releases than I should, I have way too many shows on my hard drive. I have stacks of shows that I haven't even listened to (just like I did in the cassette days). I look at the limited release scenario as similar to going to shows. Most of us didn't get in every night, yet we still enjoyed the music. Trading is still alive and well. If you have any questions or want to get involved just let me know. There were many, many people who took great care of me and this is one part of the Dead spirit that I am very happy to keep alive. Shoot me a PM
June 14, 2015 - 1:06pm

#6702

maestro63

Joined:
September 1, 2011

Not sure about digital

Not seeing the value. Same price but no packaging or buy the box make your own mp3s and have both. Digital shouldn't be more than 150.00 and that would be all profit
June 14, 2015 - 11:25am

#6703

deadegad

Joined:
February 2, 2011

Yup. God bless the tapers!

The tapers. . ... There should be a memorial for the tapers. . .. Their names etched in granite. The SBD & Matix makers should be on it too. Thank you all for your work and kindness.
June 14, 2015 - 11:05am

#6704

yetibike

Joined:
November 2, 2010

I sent you a PM.

Oxford 88...I sent you a PM.
June 14, 2015 - 10:23am

#6705

Born Cross Eye…

Joined:
August 25, 2008

Extra copy of Dave's Picks 14

12758 STILL SEALED$32 I'm just trying to recoup my total cost. Sorry, no international sale. P/M me if interested.
June 14, 2015 - 6:35am

#6706

TheDude77

Joined:
November 6, 2013

Most for free

Yes..you can get most of this box for free, and in better quality then what archive.org has, but some of these shows will be upgrades..like 1972. Also, 1966 and 1970 will probably be more complete then what is out there. I ended up buying the box. Don't really care about the 80s or 90s, but I'm not going to pay for all the single 1960s and 1970s shows on ebay. People are going to sell a lot of these shows, but not a lot are going to pop-up on ebay from those two decades.
June 14, 2015 - 6:27am

#6707

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Tomorrow is a Long Time - Dylan and The Dead

http://songmango.com/footage-bob-dylan-and-the-dead-the-other-show/ Jerry on the pedal steel - fast forward the video to hour - 1:55:00 "I can't see my reflection in the waters...
June 14, 2015 - 6:02am

#6708

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

Mr. Dc

I think you're missing the entire point of my posts. Someone on here inferred that the GD and Rhino were "playing games" and that they should make all the music available and for a fair price. I am merely pointing out that it is ALL available for free. You don't even have to buy the official releases. I do buy them. But I don't bitch when they don't release a particular show, and I don't complain about pricing. Hell... I think the price for this box, given the sheer volume of good shows is more than fair. Then after you throw in the extras, and the packaging, I'd go so far as to call it a bargain. No one should expect something for nothing, but with the archives the Dead give you almost everything for nothing.
June 14, 2015 - 4:11am

#6709

PT Barnum

Joined:
December 2, 2009

love me some bootleg

without these, most of us wouldn't know how fantastic this band is. Illegal to download SBD's? What? Been doing it for 20 yrs, now all of a sudden it's illegal? Just kidding folks. This is old discussion territory, we all hashed this out long ago. Personally, I'll take a good bootleg as you call it over some of that overpolished factory released stuff that has been put out. Thought the fall of 88 was a bit stronger than the spring or summer and 95, my fav is the Memphis show, also the Birmingham shows are top notch, early spring tour 95 beats any summer tour shows. Concur ie 1980 pick, good show, outstanding terrapin on that night, but the next night, Gainesville, was the show of that little deep south tour, hell, they went there for the Gators homecoming dance. Entire school dosed for 3 days, gators lost the game in a big way, but the Grateful Dead put on a great dance concert that night that is still being talked about in the halls of that university. I have heard that there is no tape of this show in the vault, of course there isn't, I'm sure one of those deadhead frat boys lifted that right after the show. :) Ok, whoever got it, please give it back. It's been 20 yrs since we lost Jerry, sad kinda that some can actually say that he was not the center of this band.
June 14, 2015 - 1:06am

#6710

Zuckfun

Joined:
March 18, 2010

The Archive

The big difference to me, between the Archive and the Official Releases, is sound quality. Plus the beautiful packaging, liner notes and artwork. But to dismiss the shows on the Archive as just bootlegs seems inaccurate. Many copies of the shows on the Archive are leaked recordings from the Vault, beautifully remastered and sound pretty brilliant. That's not to say anything on the Archive achieves the level of quality like the Releases. But if you grew up on mediocre sounding multi-generational cassette tapes, the quality of many recordings on the Archive is nothing short of fantastic.

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

Love me some extended Jerry jams on Estimated

I wanted to say how much I love the versions of Estimated Prophet when Jerry began to extend his solo's in the middle of the song. My very favorite version of this is from Dick's Picks 5 which is a 79' version. He absolutely scorches it! At one point Bob even starts trying to sing again but Jerry just keeps right on going until he decides that's enough and gives an emphatic punchy riff to end the solo letting Bob know he can sing "my time coming" now. Pure awesomeness!

Travesty?

...or tragedy? Or both?

@Spacebro Alpine 87'

I would love to hear crisp soundboards of this run as well.. The rainforest drums out of Eyes from the first night is spectacular.. Personally, I would like to see more from this summer tour released... The Greek theatre shows are really good too.. It's sad that we haven't even seen a Greek theatre release yet.. I thought for sure we would get an 80's show from there before they would release that 68' show that's in the 30 trips box.. I guess we'll have to wait some more...

A fattie?

And you used a THIN black Sharpie? Should've used at least a FINE black Sharpie...

Re: 1987

One show I really love is the third night of Irvine, April 19th. Doesn't hurt that this was my first run of shows, my 14 year old life was changed forever for which I am eternally grateful! While there are no big jams, indeed only Wharf Rat threatens to hit the 10 minute mark, the execution is very strong, Brent is definitely on and it's a really fun listen with a unique setlist.

Apline 87

Those were a two of the first shows I had on cassette back in 1988 and night one is still one of my favorites. The second set is just plain old solid-- really good China-Rider, Estimated-Eyes with a good peaking solo from Jerry in Estimated (as you all have been discussing). It has always been disappointing that better quality recordings haven't surfaced of Alpine 85 and 87.

Please, please all who read these words go to Red Rocks to see

a band that you enjoy. It is a "peak experience" without equal. And brother Dedicated indeed reminded me of my maiden voyage in this fantastic venue 37 years ago yesterday evening. And then we came back to the 7/8/78 show to bask in the Grateful Dead's glow again. . The boys were in fine form!! I implore all who read this post or my account of those '78 Dead shows (see below), make plans in the future to head out to Denver, take someone you love, and visit Red Rocks to experience any music that you enjoy. It will be 'better'. Give your head/heart this gift. The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.

Oroboros is not kidding...

My only Red Rocks show was Bunny Wailer opening for String Cheese years back.Great show and FANTASTIC venue! Go see someone you love at Red Rocks. You will not regret it. :) edit: For any WSP fans out there that haven't been,the joint's got flash-flood warning signs that read "Climb To Safety!"

Red Rocks

I lived outside of Boulder for 15 years and saw many an artist at Red Rocks. A most amazing venue!

Red Rocks

Without a doubt the coolest venue I have been to .Saw the Allmans there in 96 and tentcamped about a mile away.Lightning over Denver most of the show was really cool.The other funny thing was the campground host looked like the prospector from Toy Story.Even funnier when he said if we were there to see Phish we could turnaround and stay somewhere else.He must have known something we didn't..I think it was soon after that they practically boarded up Morrison during their run

Red Rocks and Fare Thee Well

Agree with the comments about Red Rocks! I have been fortunate enough to see WSP play 24 shows there since 00. I am still glowing from the Fare Thee Well experience in Chicago! What a run, the atmosphere was nothing but amazing and positive. 70,000+ people just singing and dancing. Truly a memorable experience! Everyone I met at soldier field was super friendly and kind. Absolutely loved this past weekend!

Lost Dead Album

From Uncut magazine: Heads up! Next month’s Uncut – on sale July 28 in the UK – comes with a FREE GRATEFUL DEAD CD: our historic attempt to piece together the album that should have followed “Workingman’s Dead” and “American Beauty”… Read more at http://www.uncut.co.uk/uncut-editors-diary/fare-thee-well-the-grateful-… ---- I am looking forward to this. Often wondered what that studio album would have looked like. Here is what I picture: SIDE ONE Bertha Ramble on Rose Mr. Charlie Tennessee Jed He's Gone SIDE TWO Jack Straw Chinatown Shuffle Brown Eyed Women The Stranger / Two Souls Wharf Rat

Claney...

...how bout: Mason's Children, To Lay Me Down, It's A Man's World, Silver Threads & Golden Needles AND PLEASE Cold Jordan!!!my thoughts were based on their debuts were all in or around 1970 like the tunes on AB & WMD... ...& yea, it's a total reach, but He Was A Friend Of Mine would be sweet! AND... killer article with DL2, SO THANK YOU FOR THE LINK!!! 10.1.94 is start to finish is easily one of thee top 5 GD shows 92-95... ANYONE who loves Jerry would love this show, as JG is in TOP form... as someone mentioned a few days ago Fall 1994 has a lot of great shows: 10.1, 10.5, 10.14, 10.18 & lotsa AMAZING moments... also, check out: 9.29.94 Set:2 Playin>Eyes(super slow & groovy & Jerry plays some super unique riffs during!)>Estimated>He's Gone>D/S>Spanish Jam>Other One>Wharf Rat>Sugar Mags... 10.3.94 Set:1 closer Bird Song & Set:2 Box of Rain, Shakedown, Cassidy>GDTRFB(!!)> D/S>Wheel>Watchtower>Attics>Around & Around ~ Brokedown dig em... u will if u can... ♤

Lost Album(s)

Garcia mentioned in an interview I saw long ago that he really regretted not getting into the studio before E72. That 'those songs' deserved studio treatment. Does anyone else recall hearing that? You guys nailed the song selection, but what are we up to in 45 min vinyl, 3 lost albums?

Keith / Weather intro

Keith, you know I know: Weather report Suite intro comes out of Deal on May 24. Did you know already or did you happen to see that review?

@TheeAmazing / Lost album

TheeAmazing - agreed those are great songs, but... I left off any songs that were on the solo albums thta came out during that period (so, no To Lay Me Down, which was on "Garcia"), and none of those great songs on Ace (Playing, etc). In fact, since Bobby loaded up all his songs from this period, it means there are almost no Bobby songs on the fictional album I came up with. But hey, that's Bobby's fault, ha ha. Totally agree about songs like Cold Jordan, but those are covers and, given the wealth of originals at the time, my (perhaps incorrect) feeling is that they would not have included covers (I think they only did that early on, when they didn't have enough songs, and again later for the same reason). I do recall Jerry saying something about wishing they had done an album too...(good memory Jim!) EDIT - oops, oh yeah, Masons' yeah, and that does put us over the 45 minute limi...

Greedy deadhead:

It has occurred to me while pondering recent events that we are going to need a 50 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN

WRS in Europe

When I listened to that 5/24 show last year, I heard the Prelude tease before Deal. I immediately ran to the Greatest Stories Ever Told page for Weather Report Suite and posted about it. I was so friggen' proud of myself...then I forgot to ever check back and see what folks said. I did today! http://www.dead.net/features/greatest-stories-ever-told/greatest-storie…

re: wadeocu

That would be something.. If these boxes were made in Greece, the offering could single handedly save the Greek economy. but it would also be met with unintended consequences. Half the surviving deadheads would succumb to heart attacks the moment this beast gets announced. Three months later the remaining half would succumb to spouse inflicted stab and bullet wounds the day the charges for this box hit their credit cards.

music only version?

I want these so badly. Any idea if there will be a music only version for a somewhat lower cost of admission?

Kudos to Roland and jmalcorn

Indeed it is 5/24 / Deal. yeah, I became aware last year when I was working on my PhD in E72. Nearly pooped a kitten when I heard it. Jmalcorn - just read the link you posted for WRS - good stuff. I am.

What a DEAL!

Someone is selling ALL 36 VOLUMES of the Dick's Picks series for a mere $800. That's less than $25 per volume. And best offers are accepted. Hurry. I don't expect this to last long. http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-36-Volumes-Of-Grateful-Dead-Dicks-Picks-Com…

Will they break off Vol. 30 for a mere $25 ?

Grateful Dead sending laser beams to my face 9.21.73 - Black Peter

Today in GD History 7.9.95

https://archive.org/details/gd1995-07-09.sbd.miller.114369.flac16 Thought I heard a blackbird singin' up on Bluebird Hill Call me a whinin' boy if you will Born where the sun don't shine and I don't deny my name Got no place to go, ain't that a shame? Thought I heard that KC whistle moanin' sweet & low Thought I heard that KC when she blow Down where the sun don't shine Underneath the Kokomo Whinin' boy -- got no place else to go So many roads I tell you So many roads I know So many roads -- so many roads -- Mountain high, river wide So many roads to ride So many roads So many roads Thought I heard a jug band playin' "If you don't -- who else will?" from over on the far side of the hill All I know the sun don't shine, the rain refuse to fall and you don't seem to hear me when I call Wind inside & the wind outside Tangled in the window blind Tell me why you treat me so unkind Down where the sun don't shine Lonely and I call your name No place left to go, ain't that a shame? So many roads I tell you New York to San Francisco All I want is one to take me home From the high road to the low So many roads I know So many roads - So many roads From the land of the midnight sun where ice blue roses grow 'long those roads of gold and silver snow Howlin' wide or moanin low So many roads I know So many roads to ease my soul

Across the Rio Grandio

Many great versions. I can see the attraction to Englishtown 9/3/77, but for me, there was this ever so fleeting moment in May '77 that Jerry sings the first line "Across the Rio Grandio" that was just...right (you thought I was going to say exactly perfect, didn't you?). 5/12, 5/17, and 5/25. It didn't seem to be there on 4/30, an it seems to have slipped away into the black hole called Dead Nuances by even the 6/9/77 rendition. I prefer the 5/25 version above all (I imagine the fact that it was the first version I've heard has something to do with it). There is just something quiet and peaceful to the way he delivers that vocal that puts me at the beach, where I listened to it another 100 times the week after I discovered it.

MS 1/2

As a newbie, I know nothing (Jon Snow), but I put on that Dave's 1 Mississippi Half-Step and enjoyed it, then got putzing around with something else around here and it went into a different version that just blew it out of the water for me and it was 9/3/77. Of what I have heard so far over the last year, I've considered that one of my favorite single tracks so far out of the whole mess, and the side-by-side bolstered that. Not that there's a right or wrong answer or anything wrong with that 5/25 version. What a kick ass song when that's even debatable, eh? I'm at 5:50 into this Englishtown version with over 7 and a half minutes left to go..how is this possible without tearing a hole in the fabric of the space time continuum? This is heavy stuff, Doc.

Red Rocks- 7/8/78 - matrix revisited

Took the matrix with me for my commute today - probably haven't played it since the last time Orboros told us of his adventure - thanks - as always another great listening selection from the sages of the board. Looking forward to more enlightenment from Dave on his selections for the box. The Boston Globe article was a nice tease... My friend still raves about the 10/1/94 show we went to that I burned him a matrix of that show. I can't wait to hear the cleaned up version or the Oxford show. I wonder if any of the near future DaP releases will be some bookend shows to some in the boxset, like the earlier night in Oxford - I love my matrix of that show... Or is it Matrix Reloaded...

Keithfan & Muleskinner

Keithfan, thanks for the comparisons of late. I rarely stack my brain on song comparisons show by show, I generally listen to a big run of shows and revisit the ones I like, then get into the icing and begin to compare best sequences (big jams) to shows that seem similar. You and the good doctor add a level of refinement. Checking interesting recommendations gives me something to do when waiting for PC to process this and that. thanks man, good fun. Makes work way more interesting. Muleskinner, I have been wondering about your E72 endeavor, did you get all the way through? Someone else that visits this thread got it late like you, could have been boblopes, but Im not sure... would love to hear a fresh recap. Keithfan, MD recently gave us his top 5 to reach for. Several were on my top.. but I think I had 4/14 for the LLR and the dark star. I might have had Rotterdam on my top too.. anyway picking only 5 is a bit silly.. how was the trip through the discs?

Hey Jim! shoot her one more time

Actually, I'm still plugging away slowly...things have been busy lately and haven't been able to listen as much as I'd like, at least closely. Plus I'm several weeks behind on the board with the shows and other hub bub, so been trying to catching up here and there instead of posting. But I'm up to 4/24 Dusseldorf, not very great progress quite yet, but it's very intriguing when you hear so many good things about May and haven't even touched it yet! I still rank 4/8 high so far..but I really enjoyed 4/16 and 4/17 as well. From the perspective of an audio collection, 4/21 was fine knowing the context, but I'm not inclined to rank it among the full shows. Other than the Dark Star sequence of 4/8, so far at least, my other favorite is Playin' In the Band and on from 4/16. Dire Wolf! And a 20 minute raunchy Good Lovin'. Bitch dog in heat. I really have enjoyed the Pigpen drag outs, maybe a highlight of my listening so far. Jump in your saddle and ride.. So I'm looking forward to listening to the rest, I should be able to a bit more over the next few weeks compared to the last month. I also have been listening to Winterland '77 in the car..doesn't do it justice to intermingle like that, but I've maybe appreciated that more since I can focus in the car. And there's nothing like driving and turning it up LOUD. Was it 6/7..Terrapin > Morning Dew? Gowzah. Speaking of being behind, had a few things to discuss and was planning to catch up first but it's proved futile so far. So, sorry to be repetitive but a few points: 1) Newsweek Jerry Garcia Tribute - Even I could tell this thing was full of errors, what did folks think of that publication?? 2) How did ya'll like the On Broadway Garcia release? I've really enjoyed the Acoustic Band stuff, doing a myriad of old folk / bluegrass / blues songs I love. 3) I cracked up seeing Bill Walton on the webcasts from both CA and Chicago..glad to see him still representing, throw it down, big man. I'm sure you've all seen this, but I just came across it and loved it: https://www.relix.com/blogs/detail/watch_bill_walton_gave_three_minutes…

Big jams....

....I am currently entrenched in the Playin'->El Paso->Playin'->Wharf Rat->Playin' sandwich from Denver 11.20.73. The songs just fall into each other. Melting! That's a Dagwood if I ever saw / ate one. 1973 is just fine....

Denver 73 jam

I'm right there with you - posted about this exact jam last week....blew my mind for about a week straight!

RTR Bonus Disc

I need a miracle. How do I get my hands on the RTR bonus disc? Saw lots of GD shows at Red Rocks. Awesome venue, always fun. Jerry did shine his light through that Colorado rain!

From Version to Version

It's only since I lost myself in the Grateful Dead Narnia that I've started to appreciate listening to the entire show. I came late to the Dead picnic, and while I saw them a couple of times before Jerry died, I didn't get "into" them until years later. With other bands (The Who, Yes, Rush), I would take the best live versions of songs and make a playlist. It seemed the prudent thing to do since there were only a few live versions of any particular song. The Dead is a different beast altogether, so it took some time to appreciate what they're up to from gig to gig, and clearly cherry picking the best versions is an impossible endeavor, as I end up with nothing on the cutting room floor. That being said, old habits die hard, and there's always a mental comparison going on in my head, hence the post about MSHSU Toodeleedoo. There's no doubt 9/3/77 is the best version for the jam, but not necessarily the bridge to Rio Grandio. And so it goes, there are many "best" versions. Muleskinner, check out Sugar Magnolia from 4/24 - this is thee version of thee song that pulled me in, never to return. I was at a home poker game when my buddy put on Rockin' The Rhein, and immediately caught the fever. 5/18 is close, despite a rare vocal flub where Bob Weir seems to forget he's onstage performing with the Grateful Dead. It's not that there's anything wrong with the 20 other versions from E72, it's just the perfect storm of nuances that come together on 4/24 (the guitars are mixed so smoothly for maximum "groove" effect, the piano is present, the solo is smooth and sweet, the drum fill at the....drum fill part is perfect, the blossoms are blooming, etc). Also wondering if anyone has noticed some of the subtle differences in overall sound from show to show on E72? For example, 4/24 seems to have more reverb than other dates (I don't know if reverb is the right word - it's an echo-like quality I catch on this one - a good thing to my ears); Amsterdam 5/10 also seems to have this quality. 4/11 and 4/29 seem to have a tad less fidelity and more tape hiss than other dates - not a big deal, I just turn the treble up a little bit. 4/26 has magnificent sound and low tape hiss, but Pigpen's organ is a bit lower than other dates (not sure how the fact that it was mixed for Hundred Year Hall plays into this). Heck even the comparison between Steppin' Out versions of the same tunes demonstrates significant differences in the mixing (for example crisper snare drum, compare 5/24 Cold Rain & Snow, or higher piano levels on some songs - check out 4/11 Brokedown Palace). Anyway, I spend waaaay too much time listening to this stuff, but I did earn a PhD in Europe '72, so it wasn't without merit.

listening to the band

Keith-Fan, Your post raises the question of how we go about enjoying this abundance of officially released riches. I listen to a show per day, usually in the background while working. A lot just sort of floats over me this way and I'm often unable to get a "best version" sort of feel, but do get to enjoy the overall sonics of a show. i'll be working away with the music drifiting over me and suddenly tune in and think, "whoa - how the hell did they get out here" ... Work-related listening has been random years/tours as the mood strikes. I have no favorite era. Everything offers something different and worthwhile depending on the mood. I listen to a lot of other music (funk, jazz, soul, rock from all eras), so it's not like I can engage in the deadicated listening a lot of these Dead shows deserve. (seeing RUSH twice next week - and am on a huge related listening kick in preparation -- seeing them is very much a cult-band family reunion kind of phenomenon not unlike the vibe at a Dead show - just a lot nerdier and less trippy). With the 30 Trips Box, I'm going to listen to a show per day on headphones while cycling. Chronologically. After, I'm going to listen to everything I have (pretty much all official releases) in chronological order the same way, ideally while riding and skiing. This is a wonderful way to consume release, as the music evolves and changes organically, in terms of both the playing and song choices. I've managed to do this once in the past, and it took the better part of a year. Psyched to do it again. Long live the Dead.

currently listening to...

The AUD of 11/4/77 https://archive.org/details/gd77-11-04.moore.jupile-weiner.15208.sbeok… Curious how it stacks up against DP12? I'm really into this version so i'm feeling (slightly) better about having been shut out of the official release!

Re: Keithfan and Bliss

Yes, KF, there are certainly noticeable differences in sound that are more than the mix itself. What a fabulous collection of venues on that tour, that's the difference. When I travel abroad.. Instead of being a typical nerdy tourist and hitting hard rock cafe's or whatever.. I usually try to pick a theme.. like lets hit all the big castles in Germany or hey, lets hit all the churches where they off'd people in the Angels & Demons movie in Italy.. so my big not so eminent Europe trip will hit all the theatre's they played at. Check them out, great history and some terrific venues. That's what's contributing to the rich sound and variations from night to night. Places like the Concertgebouw and the like. There's a wealth of information on the acoustics of these venues. You may have come to the party late, but you did your homework. Bliss.. one of the ways I cycle through a lot music is on road bike rides and kayaking. Lots of fun and you get a workout to boot. I think you get the big picture this way, overall vibe of the show and jams. You also get a nice progression of growth through a tour/year/decade that way. You do miss minute details like best version of a song on a tour which KF seems to specialize in.. anyway, you are not alone in listening habits.

80sFan 11/4/77

I checked out a couple of tunes from your link. Definitely a respectable version, and I like that you can hear all of the audience enthusiasm at various points (i.e. clapping on Bertha, cheering after the Brown-Eyed Women solo, which incidentally, is one of the best live versions ever in terms of Jerry's guitar solo). The instruments are definitely louder in the official version, particularly Keith's keyboard work and the drums; these two "mix factors" contribute heavily to the aggressive "rock" feel of the 11/4 show, as experienced in the official version. But yeah, it's always a good idea to own another show featuring the late great Keith Godchaux ;-) PM your address if you want and I'll send it to you.

Vguy72 / Road Trips '73

Good call, I put this on at your recommendation. Four words - Holy psychedelic pianos Batman. Wow, just dozed off at work and woke up to Wharf Rat. gotta love cubicles.

Complete Recordings - Great Prices

I got a copy of Dick's Picks 30 at a great price after someone here mentioned seeing them online, so I thought I would return the favor to people who may be in need. Here are three great prices on box sets. Winterland June 1977: Complete Recordings $299. All others are in the $600 range. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grateful-Dead-Winterland-June-1977-HDCD-Box-Set… Europe 72 with trunk $377 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grateful-Dead-Europe-72-complete-recordings-non… Winterland 1973 Complete Recordings $120 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Grateful-Dead-Winterland-1973-Complete-Recordin…

Stoked about 30 Trips

I'm stoked to get my ears around 30 Trips Around The Sun. Love the idea of a show per year. I usually reside somewhere between 1968-78 with 72-74 as my favorite period. I love the improvisational monster jams focused around The Other One, Dark Star, Playin', Eyes, Weather Report not to mention the primal Live Dead jams. Love a good Scarlet-Fire and the Blues For Allah material live is always a hoot. That being said my 80's-90's ventures are usually 80-81' and 89'. I have The Warlocks and love it but skipped out on Spring 90' boxes... but figure I'll get to those soon enough. So I'm looking forward to diving into these 80'-90's shows in 30 Trips, and heck, maybe I'll see what I've been missing. I'm particularly pumped about 67' Shrine, 68' Greek, 69' Dream Bowl, 72' Waterbury, and 73' San Diego among others. I mean what other band releases so much great quality sounding live music for there fans? The quality of the Grateful Dead live archival releases over the past 20 years is completely unparalleled. Perhaps only the box sets and live releases of Miles Davis even comes close and that's fairly distant at best. If Pink Floyd released only a smidgeon of quality live shows from the 70's I'd be super stoked but so far just the Wembley 74' stuff. Frank Zappa releases quite a lot of live material when he was alive and the vault releases have been great but no one compares to the Dead releases. And I'm grateful for it. It's like Christmas every few months when a Dave's Picks arrives or Road Trips before that. Europe 72' is my favorite box followed by Winterland 73'. Like I said I'll get to Spring 90' in due time. So keep us guessing and keep em' coming!

Hey keithfan....

....glad I could oblige. BTW, do any of you experience a delay in getting pm's? I usually get mine a week after they were sent to me....

1970 04-15

Been listening to the winterland 1970 show featured on this box and must say Am Really digging it..having listened to most dead post 77", it's as if I'mHearing the band for The first time again..can anyone else reccomend any really Good early 70s shows, perhaps some that really stand out, say 70 or 71? Would appreciate it thanks

early 70s 4evergr8ful

You should run out to the record store and buy Ladies and Gentlemen...the Grateful Dead and Three From The Vault. These are the best sounding CDs available from 1971. You should also grab Dick's Picks 2 and Dick's Picks 35. And while you have your credit card out, Road Trips Summer and Autumn '71 and Dave's Picks 3. Personally, I don't recommend Skull and Roses, because I don't like the studio overdubs, but it is a very popular commercial release. oh, and DP 35 has one heckofa Hard to Handle The dates of all of that stuff April 25th - 29th Ladies and Gentlemen Feb 19 Three from the Vault (but check out 2/18, it's better in my opinion, but not "officially" released) Road Trips 71 summer is I think August 6 & 8 Road Trips 71 autumn is Nov 15 with bonus from 14th I think Daves picks 3 is 10/22 Dick's picks 2 is 10/31 and has one of the best Dark Stars ever While you're at it grab Sunshine Daydream from August '72 or Rockn the Rhein from 4/24/72

Re: VGuy, Delay in PM's

VGuy, if you are not getting your PM's right away, something is very wrong, they must be on to you. What exactly have you been posting the last couple weeks? Never mind.. no bother.. better focus on what to do next. If you single, no biggie, just head to Joshua Tree for a couple months and bring a big bag of fungus and some tunes. If you have a family, job, life, etc. it gets a little more complicated. Either way, I suggest living and doing the exact opposite of what you normally do until you have some time to figure this out and devise a plan. Start by loading your portable digital device with lots of 1973 GD, including the Denver Road Trips. That will put your worried mind at easy until you figure out exactly what you did to put yourself in this predicament. Good luck my friend, see you on the other side. We are all pulling for you. If it makes you feel any better, the same thing happened to Dantian a couple months ago. We got him back. Wish we could say the same for wjon and a few others.. don't despair, think happy songs.

12/5/71

'On the day that I was born...'

12/5/71 was my birthday. Odd that I've never listened to that show.

Reinhalle

The reason 4/24/72 (most of it) sounds different from the rest of the big E72 box is because they used the older Rockin' the Rhein mixes, with some exceptions. The older mixes are much smoother, more detailed, and yes happen to have more reverb than any of the rush-mixed box set. But don't get me started! Pet peeve!

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