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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
$50 Shows for the 50th
Some shows still up for grabs from my 30 trips box. Just PM me if you want to call dibs.
Years available:
1976
1978
1980
1981
1983
1985
1986
1988
1993
Cheers
@ Jim re Day Job
I too didn't 5 ink it was a bad song. At that time I was doing a lot of touring and it did get old. Seemed like they played it every other show
Day Job
I'm not sure what I'd think about the song if I didn't know the back story.But knowing the backstory definitely makes the song more interesting.
I think its a semi-catchy tune but JG always seemed to mumble the lyrics on this one, so I'm not sure if I've ever heard a great version.
I love this line:
"God bless the child that's got his own stash, a 9 to 5 and a place to crash!"
Clash of cultures indeed!
Re: Day Job
I'd heard that it was dropped due to popular demand. Also rad they dropped Money Money due to fans' request.
Day Job
The band came under a lot of criticism for this song. Many Heads thought the band was being snide and taking a shot at them personally.
Jerry has said that was not the intent at all. The band just trying to send a cautionary message to the fans. I mean, how many people after attending a great show, or a great movie, or a great game, say to themselves "I think I will try to do that for a living". While that may happen, the odds are pretty slim, and the band truly meant to warn folks not to give up their first income until they were sure the new endeavor was going to pay off.
Rock on
Day Job
I was totally right on this one, it WAS Barry Manilow.
Singing to the world
Its time we let the spirit come in
Let it come on in
I'm singing to the world
Everybody's caught in the spin
Look at where we've been
We've been running around
Year after year
Blinded it with pride
Blinded it with fear
But it's your Day Job
If you wanna' to believe
It can be Day Job
Ain't no time to grieve
Say its your Day Job
If you 'll only believe
And let it Shine, Shine, Shine... all around the world!
Enough with Day Job....
....not my favorite encore by a county mile. Keith passed 35 years ago (?) today, Brent's last show was 25 years ago (?) today, and it's my son's 14th birthday today...a bitter and sweet day in my history....
VGuy - Agree
Good excuse to pivot from the bitter to the sweet.
..and with that, "Without a Warning..."
(Go Pig)
Keithfan2112 1979-1989
I read one of your prev post you were interested in selling 10 shows from 79' to 95' from your box set.I'm a 80's fan I would like to buy the shows from 79' Cape to 89' Miami.
I saw you wanted a copy of the 78 Tennessee show, I have that coming and almost all DIck's and Dave's picks, bonus disk's and live Garcia's if you need..
Day Job...always loved it.
"By now you know the face on your dollar got a thumb on it's nose and a hand on your collar." So true, and never ceases to make me smile.
Day Job
I was there for both Hunter's and the band's breakout of the song. While most of the folks in the lovely meadow in Veneta were trying to figure out what this was, I was laughing. because Hunter had done it with much dramatic flourish (10/9/81, Boarding House), and you don't forget something like that. Hell, I can still see it.
Veneta also had Dupree's as an encore, which didn't happen that often.
Another clever turn-of-phrase courtesy of Mr. Hunter...
...'that eight day hour'.
Love it. So true sometimes.
Observation
They are paving and widening some of the roads in my small town.
I can only assume they needed to do this to accommodate the wide-load truck that is about to drop Boxzilla on my porch in 5 weeks.
..yet another example of how the 50th Aniv. of the dead is adding to the GDP. Looking at historical data, there's almost a perfect correlation between giant GD Box Sets and the strengthening of the US dollar.
Time to quit the Day Job talk....
....what's next, 20 posts about Easy Answers? (shudder)....just playing really, but not really....
Moving Forward in Reverse
1995 - 1966Although I'll be tempted to go straight for several select years,
I've decided I am going to start at the end of their career and proceed backwards in time.
A sampling once through anyhow. It will be fun to try this.
I am looking forward to cheating though.
re; going backwards in time...
....not a bad idea. Not bad at all. I may just try that method....
A Movement Backwards
Great idea..
I wish I could read books that way, every book about the dead starts kick ass but by the time it ends, I feel like I've been living vicariously through they eyes of a stone cold junkie for the last six chapters.
The Benjamin Button listening method :D
30 Trips - individual shows.
Actually, since CD's are driven by supply and demand consider this: Only 6,500 of each of these shows is issued vs the 16,500 Dave's Picks. And many of the 30 trips boxes will stay complete boxes. So the actual number of individually circulating shows in the 30 Trips will be be maybe 1/4 of the availability of Dave's Picks releases. I would imagine the strategy of buying the box and keeping what you really want while selling the others to defray the cost is a good strategy - I have to believe there will be at least good demand for all the individual shows. I mean, the bonus discs seem to be in very high demand on eBay (even among contributors on this board) because of their scarcity, and there are only 1/2 as many of each individual 30 trips show as there are Dave's Picks bonus discs! SO they're issuing 30 shows that will be much scarcer than any bonus disc - for $28/show. I'm baffled it isn't sold out already.
Sorry, I don't mean to make it sound commercial - I don't buy or sell discs on eBay - I just buy and hold every GDM/Rhino release for the last 20 years. But it will be interesting to see the values ascribed to the individual releases.
1st amendment
Q:What's the worst way to get a cantankerous go your own way group like Deadheads not to follow your demands A: Tell them to stop. Sorry VGuy ( not really) Day Job Day Job Day Job
Can't wait to get this now
Especially anxious to hear Lindley Meadows.
I hope they kept all the stage banter in, like, "Is there a doctor in the house? There's a woman backstage, and she's having a baby..." then Jerry starts to noodle Happy Birthday. Love the feel of this show. There's just something very special about it.
Also Greek '68 been in my collection for some time, and can't wait to hear the upgrade. Great show.
Dijon '74 as well. Someone on these very boards (I want to say rrot, hope I got that right) mentioned more than a year ago how great the UJB opener is, and boy was he right, best UJB I've ever heard.
The '72 and '73 shows I'm not familiar with, and I'm resisting the temptation to preview them, but hey, they're '72 and '73, and you know I'll be down for that ;)
Same for the '76 and '77, and really all the pre-'79 shows (not to offend anyone, that's just my zone), can't wait to explore these shows.
Christmas in September. Boy, are we some lucky bastages to have such great music headed our way.
- Disclaimer: Just the late night ramblings of a half-drunken fool.
Speaking of Stage banter
Listening to 4/23/69 The Ark, just now.
After the opening tune, "He Was A Friend Of Mine," someone must have called out "Morning Dew!"
Jerry says, "No. Fuck You."
Phil: "You've got to stick around to hear Morning Dew."
Jerry: "Right, 'til morning."
Phil: "Hahaha"
right on!
Right on, Dantian! I mentioned in the other thread that I think the '75 show is possibly the most wanted in this box, at the very least it's near the top. Thanks for reaching out to me when this was announced. You inspired me to "pull myself up by my bootstraps" and find a way to afford this. Or maybe a more accurate way to say it is you inspired me to negotiate a plan with my wonderful wife. Like you I'm particularly excited about the pre-79 shows but I'm also looking forward to the rest of the box, especially '79, '82 and '87.
I have no complaints about the show selection in this box. In fact, it's so good I'm spending way more than I should on CDs. There are a few things I would have done different, but that's not a complaint, just personal preference.
I would have preferred the '71 show to be from late in the year with Keith. But I read something about Jerry playing a unique guitar in the '71 show. I'm looking forward to hearing what Dave liked about this show.
I know 10-26-89 is a monster show for that era but I would have preferred something from summer, before the MIDI became such a big thing.
And I don't dispute the merits of 9-10-91 but I'd rather hear the band without a special guest sitting in all night and there are some great shows from that fall tour.
Minor quibbles for sure.
Looking forward to DaP15 to bridge the gap. And then...September--months of sleeping on the couch in front of the stereo.
Favorite 5
What are the Top 5 shows for you?
3/18/71
11/14/73
10/3/76
5/16/81
6/24/85 For the 2nd set alone!
@dantian > first set of 6/14/76
Hey there Dantian - you asked for my thoughts on the first set of 6/14/76. Here you go, ready or not. I used this version - a better sounding SBD than my old CDR:https://archive.org/details/gd1976-06-14.sbd.orf.240.shnf
A tale of two sets (EDIT - "two halves of the first set") really - the first half is perfect, the second half flags:
Cold Rain - There is not one version of this song I don't like, or find something interesting about. Also my favorite opener. This version is top tier - especially much better sung than this song generally was.
Mama Tried - if you usually skip this one, don't.
Row Jimmy - A case-study for the way Jerry could alter his vocal phrasing drastically, but always keep it tasteful. He clips the words in weird ways that fit this slightly more staccato version; or listen to how he sings "let the two time roll" - he stretches out the "two" in a lovely, trippy way - "twoooowoooo." As with the entire first half of this set, every single member of the band is perfectly dialed in. (The mix really let's you isolate each one)
Cassidy - Rumbling Phil-led version. Donna is experimenting with phrasing too - the theme of this show: Listen, around 1:25, to her harmony on "blow the horn" - low LOW harmony, in perfect tune, stunning and unique. Followed a moment later by an outburst of pure joy - "whooo!" Not much of a jam in this one, but again, you can't single out any one player - everyone is JUST EXACTLY PERFECT.
Brown Eyed Women - Here it is Jerry's guitar and vocal phrasing that is being monkeyed with. I don't have the vocabulary to describe the way he plays this, it just has to be heard. But vocally, he does things like "only I turned BAYad" and he leaves words off the end of lines - e.g., "drink to the dregs of the whiskey..." and "didn't get the lickin's that the other one..."
A SLIGHTLY TIRED SECOND_HALF-----=---
Big River - Energy starts to flag here. A song that is almost always roaring with energy, but this version leaves me flat. Anytime Keith solos more than Jerry on Big River, there's a problem (no offense to Keith, but that's not what I go to the Big River for).
Might as Well - About like the other version of this song. Not a song I care about all that much, but this does have some very cool and clear cymbal work (from Billy?) in the first minute. The nuances of the cymbals are very clear throughout this recording.
Lazy > Supplication - Solid version, very slow transition, almost a dead-stop. Again, something happened after BEW to slow these dudes down... (nice, almost Wolfish-sounding solo from Jerry).
T-Jed - Whoah, talk about things slowing down. Holy crap this is a weird version. We're talking Row Jimmy pace. Even has a reggae-esque lilt. Jerry has a lot of fun on this one, digging down low in the register (think of his solo on TLEO on Dick's Picks 10). Is this song suited to this tempo? Nope. Is it nice to have this extremely different version? Absolutely. I like this one.
Playin - Average '76 version, which is to say, pillowy meandering goodness, with some spacy stuff in the middle. Unusually pleasant and low-key Donna wails.
Individual shows
Thin, Out of the post hiatus shows I am selling, I can tell you that I've had the most requests for the 1984 show. Also interesting, the first shows to go on my list were the 90's shows (except 93). I am sure the prices of individual shows from this box will skyrocket & considering what dave's picks go for after they sell out, $50 a show is pretty reasonable. I'm not really price gauging here just giving some folks an opportunity at the shows they want at a fraction of the cost. I may even hock the gold 45 from my box, cuz i'm really only interested in a few shows myself.
Here's what is left at $50 a show:
1976
1978
1980
1981
1985
1993
PM me if you're interested
Ready the Wayback Machine, Mr. Peabody!
Working backward from 1995 to 1965 is precisely my plan of attack for storming the beaches of Boxzilla as well.
And here's hoping that 7.2.88 is offered up as a DaP in the not-too-distant future.
Totally off Subject....
Anyone else in the Dallas area going to the Granada to see Forgotten Space for Jerry's Birthday show on the first?
If you don't know these guy are a tribute band (I don't like that name for these guy), they're pretty damn good, you can hear their shows on the archive. But every year they have a Jerry Birthday show. Granada is a small venue in Dallas,,, should be good. Tixs were "cheap" in todays world, 25 bucks a head.
claney
Thanks for thorough review. I will have to go back and revisit it, keeping your insights in mind.
What about the second set portion I raved about, the Crazy Fingers thru Franklin's Tower. To your ears, did it match up to my hyperbole? You know, I can get a little carried away at times listening to this stuff ;)
@Rdevil, right back at ya, brother.
dantian, my memory of that
dantian, my memory of that second set is, yes it does match up to your praise. But I'll have to give it a serious listen as soon as time allows... Which will be a pleasure, no doubt. They must have "rejuvenated" during the set break.
30 Trips
I am also excited about the megabox. I foresee many many hours of enjoyment discovering all these shows, since I haven't listened to many of them. I've really been enjoying the Europe box, I'm up to the Bickershaw Festival, which is a hum dinger! What a strong tour!
Day Job seemed to me when I saw it live to be a simple ditty, nothing too serious. Strange chorus. Not surprised it didn't last long in rotation. Shortest rotation probably goes to Money Money, only a few performances. Strange song. I saw it live in Portland in '74, and I'll never forget Donna belting out "MONEY-MONEY!"
Listening the Playin' from 6/14/76, pretty nice...
The wife & 10/27/79...
Had a girls day out to the Jersey Shore with our 2 girls PLUS 4 nieces, her sister, my sister & 4 other female friends just so I can get everything done around the house, I painted BOTH kids rooms, installed ceiling fans in ALL 3 rooms, installed an AC unit in our younger kids room, also installed 3 way switches in each room, & put in a new headlight, changed the oil & replaced the front brake pads on my car it is 8:09 here in Philly a very long but productive day I shouldn't get a honey do list until early Fall. I listened to a lot of Dead ALL DAY, however I listened to 1 show twice just because it is the most AMAZING show of the entire Brent Era, IMHO & that show is 10/27/79, I to this day still listen to this show on a Maxell cassette as I feel it's the BEST recording I have of it I have 6 different CDR's of this show however the SBD cassette that I have of it is still the BEST quality of any of the versions I downloaded from the IA, the question I have "is this show a Betty Board", it has the sound quality of one hers however I don't think she recorded the Fall 1979 shows, PLEASE send HELP on the WAY, for some reason my inquiring mind would like to know.
Here is the list of the shows I listened to today ALL official releases with the exception of 10/27/79;
DP 16, 11/8/69, Simply STELLAR
DP 03, 5/22/77, INSPIRATION MOVE ME BRIGHTLY
DP 13, 5/6/81, He's Gone For Bobby Sands, the most inspired jamming of the 80's IMO
DP 36, 9/21/72 My FAVORITE "official" release EVER
Dave's Picks Volume 1, 5/25/77 Spring 1977 need I say more? I think NOT
RSD Black Friday,2014, 11/17/72 Set II just because it SOLD OUT & it is AMAZING
10/27/79 Set I & II SBD Cassette 2x
So the wife and kids are on the way home & the wife said she's bringing home dinner, no doubt ALL of us will be tired but one thing is for sure we ALL will be HAPPY the wife will be happy that everything is done, the kids will be happy because they had a GREAT day at the beach & I am happy because everything I set out to accomplish has indeed been accomplished, so DEADLAND HAVE ONE MORE (HAPPY) SATURDAY NIGHT
I answered
my own question, Dan Healy recorded the Fall '79 tour & it seems he was Chief Recorder ALL through the 80's. I'd like to listen RT 1.1 Fall 1979, however I don't think I'd make it past disc one as WE are ALL quite tired, WE BID YOU GOODNIGHT, DEADLAND!!!!
30 trips in 30 weeks
I can't wait for this box! But how to digest it? A question asked many times in this thread. I'm thinking 30 trips in 30 weeks straining from 1966. I would really like to review and discuss each show, each week with fellow deadheads. Any input on the best forum for this? A blogspot or a Facebook group? Is anyone else thinking of a similar strategy? Thought and input would be muck appreciated.
Edit: much appreciated... But my typo reminded me of a great Hunter S. Thompson quote.... "It's hard to get a footing in all of this muck...
30 trips update...
with over 70 hours of music, millions of dollars in fans orders invested and less than 8 weeks till launch ..how bout a new listening party and weren't they going to reveal more about this box? packaging, design, etc..?
Individual Show Sets
I'm also going to be selling the shows in my box set individually, but I'm in Europe so that will give folks here a chance to get the ones they want. Depending on the import duties, the sets will be probably at € 60 each plus posting. (Yes, that's Euros).
Send me a PM and I'll reserve the year and confirm price and postage in September.
Cheers.
30 Trips with 30 Trips
Loving the listening ideas. Had never considered going back in time, which will perhaps be my 2nd wave listen. For the first, I'm hoping the box arrives with enough time left in the Canadian autumn that I can listen to each show over 30 days of fall-weather cycling. The two things that will make this difficult will be potential inclement weather and the onset of early winter in these parts (BC interior), and the sheer toll it'll take on my middle aged body to get back on the bike every day - esp. after some of those marathon early 70s efforts.
This box is exciting. Kudos to those bringing it to us. Unbelievable that in an era of declining record sales, the autumn days of physical media for music, the Dead buck industry convention yet again by releasing a set of this magnitude. Love it.
Weekly Listening
Love the idea of a forum/facebook page/something to discuss the 30 trips shows. Plan to start at 1966 and go forward. Liked the idea of going backwards but want to get the full effect of songs entering and leaving the rotation as the years go by.
product sku
081227955892