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"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
Warlocks box and inventory
If you want that release. Jump on it now. One thing Rhino seems to be doing is let the product sell out and not go back to it. The titles that don't specify if they are limited will most likely be re-issued. But I would guess it may take a while. At least 10 years after sellout before they re-issue. And if it does get re-issued. Most likely at a higher cost, jump on it before it hits secondary market and then who knows what the cost will be.
Warlocks box question
Okay, speaking of the Warlocks box - I would love some feedback on that from you folks. I passed on it due to a general lack of love for post-coma Dead. However, I did finally get the Spring 90 TOO set and really like most of it (though not the long jams where MIDI takes over, and, believe it or not, I don't care all that much for the vaunted Branford show, which as someone said a while ago, sounds like soft jazz to me. (Not saying it isn't great playing - just not my subjective thing - please don't jump on me). I've easily listened to that version of Loose Lucy a dozen times.
The cost also threw me - the Warlocks Box always seemed like a pretty bad deal, on a per disc basis, considering it's far from my favorite era.
Anyway, the Warlocks Box - how does it compare to other releases, to Spring 90, etc?
Warlocks box question
Okay, speaking of the Warlocks box - I would love some feedback on that from you folks. I passed on it due to a general lack of love for post-coma Dead. However, I did finally get the Spring 90 TOO set and really like most of it (though not the long jams where MIDI takes over, and, believe it or not, I don't care all that much for the vaunted Branford show, which as someone said a while ago, sounds like soft jazz to me. (Not saying it isn't great playing - just not my subjective thing - please don't jump on me). I've easily listened to that version of Loose Lucy a dozen times.
The cost also threw me - the Warlocks Box always seemed like a pretty bad deal, on a per disc basis, considering it's far from my favorite era.
Anyway, the Warlocks Box - how does it compare to other releases, to Spring 90, etc?
Warlocks box
FWIW for me, I can justify the cost after considering just how tastily Phil Rocks the Help on the Way>Slipknot! from 10/8. 10/9 ices it. Tremendous enjoyment every time.
superb 2nd set from 8/21/80
@Claney
Definitely some great playing and not just an interesting setlist.
The Uncle John's jam is pretty intense. Someone on archive described as being to similar to an PITB jam, which I could definitely see.
& on the Warlocks box.
Have you heard the Nightfall of Diamonds Show? If you haven't heard that I would check that out 1st. If you like that, then you will definitely like the Warlocks Box.
Warlocks Box
Seems it sold out. Went to purchase one and gonzo. Anyone squirrel one away for me?
Warlocks Box SOLD OUT
well that worked,, they gobbled those up quick.. That always happens. When someone mentions the low inventory count usually they show up on eBay shortly after..
October 1989
-Warlocks box stocked full of highlights
-Nightfall of Diamonds is Killer as well as the other Meadowlands shows,,
-3 nights at Spectrum could be a sweet box,, with 10.18.89 being the standout show..
-And super under the radar show is Charlotte 2nd night. 10.23.89 ,,, with a killer 1st set highlights all over and 2nd set with cool song choice.
Charlotte has a few under the radar bangers,, from 5 years earlier to kick off the Fall 1984 tour 10.5.84
Warlocks Shows
These were stand-out shows. I still reach for them from time to time, lots of energy, focused playing, they were on a mission and there are break-outs a plenty.
This was the test balloon for Without A Net.
I recently gave all the released material from Warlocks through Spring '90 a spin. I thought the Hampton shows sounded a lot like Spring '90, whereas Spring '90 TOO had better separation and a cleaner sound. Hampton sounded best really loud, they were epic shows.
Get em while can, the prices are still 'reasonable' on the secondary market which probably will not last and the box design itself is interesting.
I was surprised to see everyone didn't already have this. These shows are good recordings of a the pivot point to the last great hurrah.
Edit/re dogstar: Amazon still has them new for not too much above what the price was at Dead.net after shipping. There's 1 left used for the same price dead.net had them for new. Doesn't seem outrageous yet.
Warlocks '89 box
I too love these shows. I love almost ALL the 10/89 shows, particularly the end of the month. I think they were really on fire then!However, Claney, you mentioned not really enjoying "where MIDI takes over". The Fall '89 tour that the Warlocks shows kicked off is where the MIDI action becomes a much bigger part of the band's sound. Even Jerry's solo in Candyman gets MIDI-ed. And the Dark Stars all culminate in a MIDI stew that I liked to seperately track as "Crashing Jam" on my first generation of Deadshow CDRs. If you don't like MIDI you won't enjoy the peaking moments in these shows.
Anyone who doesn't have a problem with MIDI should have the Warlocks '89 box (and 10/16, 10/20, 10/22, 10/26 to name a few more), but anyone who is bothered by MIDI should proceed with caution (and maybe not step on these tracks).
Gee, a 10/2X/89 BOX would make me return to buying GDM boxes!
Formerly the Warlocks....
....was on the fence since this set came out years ago. Jumped off the fence last night and snagged one....I'm not going to go down the '77 Winterland box road again!!
Thanks for the Warlocks comments
Great posts folks - though I guess it's a moot point now, at least from this site. And also because Boxzilla, well, you know.
Seth - your post helps - I really do struggle to get past the MIDI, and there is so much else I still want...
Riverbend '85
SiriusXM just finished playing a high-energy Oade Bros recording of the 9/3/85 show at Starlight Theatre, KC.
Nice way to grease the skids for the return of Cryptical Envelopment>The Other One contained on the Riverbend show in Boxzilla. The actual break out was at the Greek a week earlier, but the Riverbend show has a nice crisp sound to it and a nice Comes A Time.
I know.. its not the same as 1970, Jerry's voice was haggard, brent, etc.. True, but this ones still hot and what a pull-out year 1985 was. Lots of fresh material and an energy boost year. Whoever mentioned 11/2/85 recently (might have been a doc's pics) must have been drinking the same kool aid I was that year.
There are some high-energy, later year shows in this box.. Can't wait for the sonic upgrades. One Dave's Picks and three months to go before the a UPS truck marked 'wide load' drops this off on our doorsteps.
Edit: Serendipitous. I just now received my DaP15 shipping notice. WooHoo.
Edit2: Snafu, wrong addy on the address confirmation. BooHoo.
@JimInMD
1 - I too received a DaP15 confirmation with my zip code wrong. I have been buying from them for years & years. How does this happen all of a sudden?
2 - Take a closer look at your calendar. It is only TWO months until Boxzilla arrives and not three as you thought
3 - I enjoyed the book very much that you sent me about the Brotherhood
Rock on
10.23.89 California Earthquake & Bay Area quake
the Charlotte performance was the 2nd and final time played. mustin321, glad you liked.. It was a tribute for the Bay Area quake that happened right before one of the World Series games featuring A's versus Giants.. The Tennessee Jed and Let it Grow are very nice to close the set..
Warning! Warning!! Warning!!! this piece may cause the feeling of lasers beams on your face..
7.21.84 - Ventura County Fairgrounds - Today in GDHistory
China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
First set is very nice with a few highlights and settles down nicely after about halfway through Shakedown,, that is when the Grateful Dead hit a nice groove and the rest of 1st set is smooth as butter... Check out Althea for my other primo highlight of the 1st set. Jerry hits a few zingers and is a good reminder for me why I like all eras
Today's PM listening habit:
Sal Salvador "Quintet/Quartet" 7/21/54Thelonious Monk "Plays Duke Ellington" 7/21/55
Sonny Clark "Dial 'S' for Sonny" 7/21/57
Duke Ellington "Newport 1958" (studio sessions) 7/21/58
Oscar Peterson "Plays Cole Porter" 7/21/59
Bobby Hutcherson "Oblique" 7/21/67
Dexter Gordon "Take the 'A' Train" & "Both Sides of Midnight" 7/21/67
GOGD Paramount Northwest (GD Download #10) 7/21/72 Fantastic!!!
Old & In the Way Lion's Share 7/21/73
GOGD Hollywood Bowl 7/21/74
And if I make through those, I've got a Studio One Soul Jazz disc called Rude Boy sittin' purdy featuring selections from 1965 to 1980.
More Guinness & Matusalem GR, porfa.
SHIPPING ADDRESS SNAFU
My confirmation DaP email also had incorrect city name and zip code and i too have been at the same place for over 15 years. Quick call to Dead.Net confirms that despite this email hey indeed have the correct mailing info and "whoever sent out these emails did something screwy"
Re; Riverbend '85 Set 2
This was one of the first true bootleg's of live Grateful Dead the other was set 2 Cape Cod '79.When they went into Cryptical out of Smokestack it was one of the most beautiful things I ever heard. I could feel the Sun rising and all the light shine in, and now both are released in this box wow can't wait to hear them.
No information on high res mastering!
I wonder if anyone knows anything about the mastering used for the FLAC files on the USB version. Are they just upsampled from the CD masters (hope not!), are they original 96kHz transfers from the analog tapes, and upsampled from 48kHz DAT's?
I recently bought the high res FLAC of Wake Up to Find Out - it is superb, crystalline sound (maybe the CD is also, never heard it), probably the best (sonically) GD recording that I've ever heard.
They are very good at talking about the various marketing gimmicks (fancy box, limited edition, etc.), but nothing specific about how the recordings were mastered. I've written to what dead.net calls customer service, but they ignored me. It would be a disappointment if the FLACs are just upsampled from the CDs.
PICTURES OF THE BOX-ARTWORK
Can we get a video of the box with what it's going to look like? I am really on the fence and would like to see more about this release. $700 is a lot of dough for CDs
not sure what they will use Ziffle ,, email Dave L.
,, i think its vault@dead.net and use grateful dead in subject line... but you are correct
"Wake Up to Find Out - it is superb, crystalline sound, probably the best (sonically) GD recording that I've ever heard."
Spring 90 TOO sounds fantastic,, just wish they would have treated the 1st box that way,, In my opinion, the shows in the 1st box are just a tad better overall when stacked up against each other.
re; No information on high res mastering!
If you're talking about the DAT's. Then yes they were up-sampled that was for remastering process, and according to a audio engineer they play better at 24/96 than what's on the cd's.
The rest were transferred from 2-track reels, multi-track reels, cassettes and PCM tapes to 24/96.
David Lemieux on the ultimate Dead box set
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2015/06/27/david-lemieux-ultimate-dead…
re; No information on high res mastering!
Maybe the two that were multi-track recordings were transferred at 24/192, but there only 24/96 on the usb.
edit: The DAT'sat 16/48 were transferd to 24/96 and were not up-sampled from the cd's just to be clear.
Re: gr8ful & JGB Archive
The Jerry Garcia Band and later his Estate never granted permission for trading, archiving, streaming etc. You can find a few out there, but they are few and far between and usually in the shadows, not the daylight.
jfr68.....re: WARLOCK'S BOX & HOFHEINZ ALERT
jrf68, It really was at 8 Boxes.....Also, Hofheinz was not as low but......I'd grab one if you are without. Less than 50, really. ;)
philledawg
Good call!Thanks so much for the offer to hook a fella up.I really appreciate your kind offer.
I grabbed one the day they put 'em up for sale,so I'm dailed-in!
:-)
Who is this band?....
....and why do they keep showing up on my credit card statement? Seriously, I have one card deadicated to releases. $800 limit. 30 Trips tested the waters fo sho...
re; No information on high res mastering!
Plangent Process was used for 30 Trips
FYI, for anyone interested in these things, it was confirmed on an audiophile forum that the Plangent Process was used for this box on all the analog 1/4" tape shows and the '67 8 track so the majority of the box; it was not used on the cassettes which were a handful, and not the later DAT shows where the process does not apply.
Spring TOO looks great but 30 Trips exhausted my allowance
Yeah, Spring TOO would be great, but I went for 30 Trips, and used up my "allowance". I lost track of the Dead around 1978 (aside from a concert at Wembley in late 1989), and for me, the 30 Trips overview is just terrific.
I have read a lot of criticism focusing on Jerry G's personal issues, and I think that it is unfortunate. I saw the Dead many times in 1969-1978. They were never consistent. Some shows were took me to another world, others seemed mundane (and I was going to the supposed legendary Capitol Theater Port Chester shows). The "later" Dead that I've been listening to recently seem to fit the same pattern. Transcendence on occasions, and sometimes listlessness in an arena.
I will report back if I get a response about mastering of 30 trips. Others give good information, but it would be nice get something from the horse's mouth. Would be nice to know what we are buying.
7.21 & 7.22.84 Ventura County Fairgrounds
I'm currently listening to 7.22.84 and I'm finding it pretty damn solid.
This is my first time listening to either one of these shows...
thoughts on 7.21 vs 7.22 or any other early 80's show?
Im just asking because this one seems a lot better than other early 80's shows I've heard recently.
84 Ventura
Tight shows for '84, and the sdbds are crisp and clean.
7/21 vs. 7/22? Personal preference I guess, but I am drawn to 7/22.
I like the homage to 1970 via the tight Dancin' (old school arrangement)>Bertha opener and Midnight Hour closer. Dancin' and Bertha are strong, the I Just Wanna Make Love to You is a little hokey and under developed but I think they only did this a couple times. The Terrapin and Morning Dew are strong as well. Good shows, focused and inspired playing, fun outdoor venue, clean sound and decent vocals for the most part.
Edit: I think there was a conversation on old school vs. the mildly disco Dancin' arrangements on one of these threads about six months back. If memory serves the mid 70's arrangements (think Cornell) slightly edged out the old school arrangements.
This is a good version to add to the mix, its old school and done very well. (disclaimer, I voted old school ala Harpur College).
Re:Ventura 84 (day job)
What was the normal crowd reaction to an early 80s "day job" just curious , or when this song would make an appearance on the setlist
30 Trips
I'm super excited about this release. The years 92-95 being represented is really cool, as I seen a lot of shows during those years and the band could still rock on any given night! This might sound crazy but, summer 92 had some killer shows. Rosebud shines during this tour and Jerry's singing is fantastic! Some dates to check: 6/12/92,6/20/92,6/22/92, 6/25/92 and 6/28/92. Also check out the end of 6/29/92 Set 1 So Many Roads, Desolation Row and Deal bringing the set to a nice close.
May be Apocryphal....
but i was told back then by a friend who was close to the band that Day Job was the only song ever taken out of rotation by popular request
Re: snafu
I believe that to be true. Day Job got no respect.
Don't think less of me, but it really wasn't that bad at tune, the songs meaning just clashed w/ the culture.
..also they ended quite a few killer shows w/ a day job encore.
Our inner circle inside joke was, oh, last night was killer, can't believe you missed this one, should have made the drive (keep in mind this was before the internet and cell phones).. They played Dark Star>St. Stephen>Unbroken Chain>Golden Road>Alligator>Morning Dew>Alligator>Cream Puff War>Dark Star>Death Don't have no Mercy: Day Job encore.
Ok. It wasn't that great a tune either, but I always root for the underdog.
Re: Mustin ..the rounder we get
To get back full circle to where we started..
Mustin, I don't hear those Ventura shows get mentioned too often, but they are sleeper shows. Great listen, good job and thanks for bringing up some good shows.
Would love to hear more comments about the Dancin' in the Streets arrangements. When this came up last no one (including me) noticed that they switched back to the old arrangement in the mid-80's. I guess its Pig vs. Keith vs. Brent now (oops, how do you edit these posts, what did I do?).
One Edit: These shows would benefit by Matrix treatment ala DaP8. Just sayin'.
Second Edit: Jerry's vocals decline a bit by the end of the show. Too bad, still some good moments in this show.
More on Day Job and Respect
Yes we all used to bust chops about Day Job,,, but I did see a good one. To me that was a great thing about the dead,,, if you went enough you eventually caught a great version of every song. Who hasn't looked at a buddy and said, god damn that was a great fucking Mama Tried! Truly every show had SOMETHING great, maybe the whole show was only ok, but you knew there would be something.
2 regretful songs.... I ALWAYS wanted to see a killer Ghost Riders in the Sky, I knew they could pull it off. Bobby wailin' yippie I Ohh, Yippie I aye, ghost riders in the sky. Lights go down Bobbby stepping back, screaming out of incredible jam with 40,000 head belting out ... Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soak with sweat..... and ending with the whole house yippie I ohh.......
And then Bobby says , we'll be right back!
That would have been fucking great. (like when I saw my first werewolf of London, on Halloween, in Columbia, SC.
The other song I would have loved (and felt Jerry missed his chance),,, he should have done "On Broadway" when he played on Broadway. Jerry coming out of a incredible jam and hitting it right on the mark...."But they're wrong, I know they are. Cause I can play this here guitar. And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway"
Jim, re: disco Dancin'
Don't know if this one counts as "disco," maybe disco-ish, but the Dancin' on 6/14/76 is my all time favorite. For a song I often hit the skip button on, this one demands I listen all the way through. They're just so deep in the groove...
Of course, a large part of it is that it comes in the middle of an amazing sequence that one simply can't break apart, starting with the best Crazy Fingers you've ever heard (shades of Spanish Jam lie within), and ending with a sublime Cosmic Charlie, but even so, this Dancin' would be great even of its own accord.
And then comes the Help > Slip > Franklin's right after. This Slipknot! is not to be missed; more mellow than most, searching and introspective like few others, it covers some interesting ground and goes the distance.
I know I've talked up this show before, but I really think it is a great one, and definitely one of the best of '76.
@dantian and received wisdom
Talk up a show from June 76 all you want, good sir.
Until recently (thanks Road Trips 4.5!), this month was the victim of the received wisdom that said it was a month of poor, sluggish playing. "They were still getting used to the return of Mickey, blah blah blah." That argument made no sense (it doesn't explain why they kicked so much ass in '75 for example). But I recall seeing that a lot, including in books about the band - the idea that the Dead slowly built to greatness throughout the year. Poppycock!!!
Summer '76 Dead is among the top tours in their entire history (Boston, Beacon, Orpheum). Up there with Spring 77. Just a bit below the Falls (71; 72; 73).
EDIT: Listening to 6/14 again (it's been awhile, thanks for the nudge). To quote Dennis' erstwhile tour buddy: "That was a great Mama Tried!"
Day Job
Never minded it much, never loved it either. Then again, that was sort of an overarching point on encores the last 10 years anyway. But the moment you left early just assuming a Johnny B Goode was coming, BOOM came a Ripple or a Gloria or Faction out of the blue.
product sku
081227955892