• 7,852 replies
    admin
    Joined:

    "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

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • sfrank115
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Sweeeeeet
    Pretty awesome radio show.
  • uv1
    Joined:
    Let there be songs to fill the air!
    Thanks for that link @frankparry. Can't say I'm impressed with the design of the 4-CD box, but I'll bet the 80-disc box will be awesome. And what a monster it'll have to be. Just look at 80 CD's in your collection and see how much space they take up! I'm betting there will be a cardboard slipcase for each show. Or maybe it'll be in the style of a book. It looks like that's what they went for with the 4-disc set. If that's the case, it may be hard for folks to sell off single shows as we've seen on this board and on eBay. Besides which, I think the idea of breaking up the box defeats the vision that Dave had: i.e. taking in the 30-year journey that was the life of the Grateful Dead. So if you're someone who loves the 70's Dead, this may be an opportunity to have some later era music in your collection. And if you're an 80's/90's lover, then this is the chance to go back a bit further. My story is this: I started listening to the Grateful Dead with the album "Without A Net," so Brent has always sounded great to me. I never did get to see Brent, though. I saw the Dead 4 times -- 3 in '91 and once in '93. I was at the 2 MSG shows before the 9/10/91 show in the box. Then I stopped listening for years. It wasn't until my son was born 3-1/2 years ago that I started listening again. Man, I was HOOKED! I tracked down every Road Trips and Bonus Disc over the next year, and then started in on the Dave's Picks and newer box sets as they came out. Despite my expanding collection, I was still pretty stuck in the late 80's and early 90's. But I slowly worked my way backwards. '77 and '74 offered ample rewards for my listening, but earlier than that was a little too much for me. Kinda raw at times. And Pigpen took some getting used to. So it took me a while to get into '72 and all that the European tour has going for it. Now I can dig it. On the other side of the Dead's career, I shied away from post '91 stuff. Without Hornsby, what magic did the band still have up their sleeves? Then I pulled out th '93 Cal Expo Road Trips this year. I've gotta tell you, it's good. Way better than I thought it should be. So when I first saw this box set, I thought, "Way too expensive," and "Too much stuff that I don't want." But the more I thought about it, the more excited I became to hear those shows from years I had shied away from - pre '72 and post '91. I think the box will be an amazing opportunity to experience the full scope of what the Grateful Dead's music was. Thanks for reading. Reach out your hand If your cup is empty If your cup is full May it be again
  • floridabobaloo
    Joined:
    Time being short
    I came up with a rather new twist. Listening to an entire show sometimes just isn't possible, so what I've done is to select one disc from a set and create a mix up. Yesterday I started with some 73 and jumped to 90 then back to 72, etc. kinda works with the 50th concept. I have SO much Dead now, I might be able to only enjoy 1 complete show in a day and that would take a while to go thru all of it. So this approach is in play. I'm also rotating in terms of sets too. First sets and then Second.It gives me a broad palate to draw from and lots of years to combine into one big groove for the day. I've read were some folks wouldn't try this, but it's working in the summer heat so far! Enjoy yourselves!
  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Change
    There's some good insight into some of the music that influenced Jerry and some of the directions he wanted to explore or did not in the following March '78 JGB interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya2Vv1zcGmY It gives some background on the edgier, harder feel the music took on at that time. There's an interesting piece about new wave and punk that starts about 29 min in. Very interesting stuff.. if you had the same conversation say in '72 or '73, Its very likely names like Django Reinhardt, Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis and the like might just pop up. At one point Garcia states, "I like Cheap Trick." A musical Omnivore he was.. 35 min in he speaks highly of the Who and Townsend but says its a drag to do the same show '4 years in a row. Change and reinvention is a part of the golden thread this tapestry is woven from. Anyway, more food for thought. The only thing constant in this world is change.
  • ToddWCorey70
    Joined:
    Keith
    Unfortunately, when I think of Keith's later playing, I invariably think of the Cornell Fire. His blocky repetitive chords are just a sin, and almost ruin this amazing song for me. Give me his early stuff any day, the man was fantastic!
  • frankparry
    Joined:
    Box Design
    I'm not sure if this has been posted before but the British magazine Uncut has a picture of the 4CD version of 30 Trips box and a description and link to Viola Lee Blues: http://www.uncut.co.uk/news/grateful-dead-exclusive-hear-an-unreleased-…
  • MrHeartbreak
    Joined:
    @Thin
    "But I think some of the reason he began to decline is the band's '78 swerve into louder, fuzzier, raunchier tones and electric rock 'n roll (vs the ragtime band). When Keith joined in 1971 it was a 1-drummer band and by '73 they were playing light, loose and ragtime/jazzy. But suddenly in '78 they were in full beast mode and a piano doesn't really fit into a raging 2-drummer band easily - must have been frustrating for him." Excellent post, Thin. I never articulated this correctly, and I think you are right. Since we were talking about the "non-factor" issue (and I'd never actually noticed anything BAD before, like the 12/31/78 bad chord), I decided to check out a couple songs from the famous 5/8/77 gig. After all, we all know that show, right? I dialed up Estimated Prophet in the car, and listened for what Keith was doing. Now, granted, I'm cruising down the road in 93-degree Florida heat, so the AC is cranked to the max, but let me just say: during the first 3 minutes or so that I road-tested that song, I did not hear Keith...at all. I could hear everybody else: Phil, Jerry, Bobby, Mickey & Billy. I skipped ahead to Morning Dew, and I heard a little bit of tinkling piano during the first few minutes...nothing bad, but nothing remarkable. Sounded low in the mix, too...very low. Maybe they really did turn his volume down overall? No idea. For contrast, I listened to a Yes show from the same basic era, '78. Rick Wakeman on keyboards. Now, it's not a fair comparison, I know: different band, different style. But I'll tell you what: those keyboards were prominent, I mean PROMINENT, in the mix. All over the place. So maybe it wasn't just drugs, passivity, or whatnot. Maybe he really was mixed intentionally low by the latter years of the Godchauxs' tenure.
  • estimated-eyes
    Joined:
    12/31/78
    I always liked this show, but Keith is a non-factor and he really blows it toward the end of Good Lovin'-- when the rest of the band stops at one point, Keith hits a big chord. That is one of the worst obvious errors I have heard in all my GD listening, way worse than any vocal flubs they regularly made. Re: Beware Mr. Baker and the Clapton comment, in the movie they talk about Ginger's style a lot and that he was really a jazz drummer thrust into a rock and roll band. Clapton's comment, I think he was more appalled by the comparison to Bonham, you can hear him say, "no, no, Zep..." and then he catches himself before being caught on camera bashing LZ. Ginger could swing, hit 'em hard and provide some world beats, too. I like Keith Moon a lot and find his drumming amazing in his prime. This documentary gave me a better appreciation of Ginger Baker's talents-- in spite of the fact that he is absolutely insane.
  • Thin
    Joined:
    Keith "going through Jerry's briefcase"???
    Rdevil - Can you clarify what is meant by "Keith going through Jerry's briefcase may have been his biggest sin"??? Do you mean he was actually busted rifling through his stuff/stealing Jerry's stash, or was that just a euphemism for "he was doing the same, err…, recreational stuff as Jerry and it had a very negative effect"? I do recall a story from one book where someone had stolen Jerry's stash from his briefcase and he started VERY indiscreetly confronting people "Who took my bindle!" Maybe these stories are related (though probably not - made me think of it though…) I'm mildly uncomfortable that this is getting into unsavory gossip, but I'm hitting "send" anyway...
  • Kayak Guy
    Joined:
    Keith vs Mickey
    What an interesting take that I never thought about before, it's Mickey's fault ;) It does stand the basic logic test of jazz based piano players were considered part of the rhythm section and the addition of a 2nd drummer would leave less space for Keith in the mix, where as syths, cheesey keyboards and organ would occupy a different spot in a 2 drummer line up. things to listen for in the future. Billy's new book has also given me lots to listen for and highly recommended for his point of view from the drummers seat on the mood/drug consumption of the periods. Jerry seems to be one of the few junkies that could still play well far longer than most of the people around him and even though it became a problem, they let it continue as the money became everyone's drug of choice at the end. meanwhile Weather Report suite from 9/12/73 SBD just shuffled on and Keith is sounding great, too bad theres a bunch of horns soloing where Jerry should be playing and it sounds like a flock of waterfowl having an orgy.
user picture

Member for

17 years 7 months

"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

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

13 years 2 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

"God bless the child that's got his own stash, a 9 to 5 and a place to crash!" Clash of cultures indeed!
user picture

Member for

15 years 9 months
Permalink

I'd heard that it was dropped due to popular demand. Also rad they dropped Money Money due to fans' request.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I always thought this could have been a good JGB song with the gospel style treatment with Gloria Jones and Jaclyn LaBranch handling the bg vocals.
user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months
Permalink

I could have sworn this was a Barry Manilow song, no?
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

To be honest, I'm much less familiar with the first set, can't even remember last time I listened to it. You'll have to fill us in! But the Crazy Fingers thru Franklin's is top notch...and I always go back to it.
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months
Permalink

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!
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

....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....
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

Good excuse to pivot from the bitter to the sweet. ..and with that, "Without a Warning..." (Go Pig)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 3 months
Permalink

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..
user picture

Member for

16 years
Permalink

Have spoke now shut the fuck up about day job
user picture

Member for

16 years
Permalink

user picture

Member for

9 years 4 months
Permalink

"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.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months
Permalink

Either...time to go to 'the head', grab a drink, exit the show.........Oh No! ;)
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 5 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

11 years 4 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

16 years
Permalink

user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

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"
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 11 months
Permalink

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!
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

12 years
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

14 years
Permalink

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...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 10 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 10 months
Permalink

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!!!!
user picture

Member for

9 years 7 months
Permalink

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...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 1 month
Permalink

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..?
user picture

Member for

9 years 4 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 8 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

BoxZilla arrives by the 24th, you could start with 9/24/72 followed by 9/28/75, etc. There'd be a few action packed days - 10/27, 9/18 & 7/03 - but what better way to have it?! Organized chaos at its finest!
product sku
081227955892