30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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admin

Joined:
March 9, 2007

"When we began discussing audio projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead back in 2012, we knew we wanted to do something completely unprecedented. We could think of nothing more exciting or ambitious than a career-spanning overview of the band's live legacy focused on what best tells the story: complete concerts. Our first criterion was the very best live music to represent any given year in the band’s history. We wanted to make sure that there were not only the tent-pole shows that fans have been demanding for decades but also ones that are slightly more under the radar, but equally excellent. For those who listen to the entire box straight through, chronologically, the narrative of the Grateful Dead's live legacy will be seen as second to none in the pantheon of music history." - David Lemieux

We are more than pleased to announce the Grateful Dead's most ambitious release ever: 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN. Available as both an 80-disc boxed set and a custom lightning-bolt USB drive, the collection includes 30 unreleased live shows, one for each year the band was together from 1966 to 1995, along with one track from their earliest recording sessions in 1965. Packed with over 73 hours of music, both the boxed set and the USB drive will be individually numbered limited editions.

The 80-disc boxed set is individually numbered and limited to 6,500 copies, a nod to the band’s formation in 1965. Along with the CDs, it also includes a gold-colored 7-inch vinyl single which bookends the band’s career. The A-side is “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)” from the band’s earliest recording session in 1965 with the B-side of the last song the band ever performed together live, “Box Of Rain” recorded during their final encore at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 9, 1995.

The box also comes with a 288-page book that features an extensive, career-spanning essay written by Nick Meriwether, who oversees the Dead archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz, along with special remembrances of the band submitted by fans. Also included is a scroll that offers a visual representation of how the band’s live repertoire has evolved through the years.

The USB drive version* will be shaped like a gold lightning bolt with the Grateful Dead 50th anniversary logo engraved on the side. The drive includes all of the music from the collection in both FLAC (96/24) and MP3 formats and is an individually numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies. Digital version of the book also included on USB.

Shows will NOT be sold individually on CD. This release is sure to sell out quickly so pre-order your copy today and stick around as we will be revealing a mighty fine selection of music, art, and much, much more right here.

(Looking for a smaller 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake? September 18th will see the release of a four-CD version of the collection titled 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN: THE DEFINITIVE LIVE STORY 1965-1995. More on that here.)

ROLLINGSTONE.COM SONG PREMIERE AND EXCLUSIVE DAVID LEMIEUX INTERVIEW
Head on over to Rollingstone.com for the very first listen of "Morning Dew" 9/18/87 Madison Square Garden, David Fricke's exclusive interview with archivist David Lemieux, and the reveal of 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN's '69 and '84 shows.

*Helpful hints for using your USB:

Running the 30 Trips Player / Reader program:
On Windows – Navigate to the USB drive and double click the PCStart.exe file to run.
On MacOS – Open the GD 30 Trips drive, and double click the MacStart to run.

Viewing the digital book:
You can either view it within the program that comes on the drive, or by opening the PDF directly.

To view the PDF, open the PDF folder on the drive and the USB_bk_spreads_08-31 file within. Selecting the option within your PDF reading application to view as a “single page” might be preferable to viewing as a continuous document.

Importing music into iTunes and other library programs:
When you import the songs from the USB into your library, the information used to identify the track will likely leave them sorted incorrectly. Please use the song list found here to re-number the songs for each show so that they playback in the correct order.
PDF
Text

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October 18, 2015 - 9:00am

#2091

giantnerd

Joined:
June 24, 2007

Thanks team Rhino!!!

This box is clearly a labor of love and is spectacular!!! The jump between 66 and 67 is a quantum leap that can only be explained by alien intervention, and I am doing my best to go from start to finish to get the sense of their artistic development. My wife knew there was a contest so she (gasp!!!) opened my box set with the kids while I was at work. When I came home my kids ran to tell me they didn't find a prize in the box, so I asked them if they opened the secret complement. It blew their minds when I flipped open the lower flap and then I told them there was a book of spells and pulled out the "leather" bound book with the skeleton imprints and their jaw dropped. They believed me for a second, but then I told them it really wasn't a book of spells, but there was a secret scroll... Oh to be young and full of wonder. But the real reason I'm posting is that my buddy is a urologist as assures my that Mr. Lesh's diagnosis is very, very favorable and that he would expect him to recover fully from this. Get well soon Mr. Lesh!!!
October 18, 2015 - 8:56am

#2092

allman

Joined:
July 9, 2007

7/3/66 Disc One Question

On 7/3/66 Disc One, in the first few seconds of Dancing In The Streetis there a complete drop out of the right channel only leaving sound on the left channel for a second or two? Just asking to see if I need to ask for a replacement.
October 18, 2015 - 7:28am

#2093

ryanpm1976

Joined:
September 26, 2009

Story with 3/18/71?

3/18/71 is not listed in Taping Compendium and only second set listed in Deadbase. Is this show fairly new to circulation? Anyone know?
October 18, 2015 - 7:04am

#2094

purpleerik69

Joined:
May 24, 2015

Phil

be well soon , and thank you Mr Lesh for all the music and the enthusiasm you still invest in keeping the Dead alive.As i`m still waiting on my Boxzilla i roam through my collection of shows , today is Phil time in the Purple Zone......listen to that bass guitar tones an take a ride
October 18, 2015 - 6:45am

#2095

deadfeat1

Joined:
July 3, 2008

More Zacherlee and Headphones

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. During high school I can remember tuning in my old Sony radio to late night radio up and down the East Coast. I lived on a peninsula that jutted out in the Chesapeake Bay and I could tune in all sorts of stations late at night. WNEW stands out as does WBZ in Boston. I remember hearing new albums by the Ultimate Spinach and Beacon Street Union while listening to the "Boss sound of Bosstown on WBZ. Both stations turned me on to lots of great music. Washington, DC had a great station in WHFS, Home Grown Radio, broadcasting from high atop the towers in Bethesda, MD. Great radio back in the day! Some high value headphones you might want to consider... Sennheiser Momentum - Closed back phones in on ear or around ear models - Bass forward phones. Music Direct has some incredible sales on both models Sennheiser HD 558 or 598 - Nice spacious sound - very good for listening to live performances or action movies. Grado - Grado SR 125 - Nice open sound stage that lets you hear a lot of detail. Choose any of the Prestige models and I think you would be happy. Alessandro Series by Grado - You are on the stage with the band with incredible focus on guitars. The MS1 comes in two prices $99 and $109. Can't go wrong with either. Google Alessandro High End to purchase. Grado headphones are handmade in Brooklyn HiFi Man RE400 - In ear phones. Nice for travel and noise isolation. Hard to beat for around $79 The Audeze headphone mentioned earlier are exceptional - just a little out of my price range... Thanks for all the good stuff here!
October 18, 2015 - 6:40am

#2096

Strider 808808

Joined:
June 20, 2007

John Zacherley / Chiller Theater

I may be cut from the same paisley cloth as Mr. Ziffle. In the early 60s I used to watch Chiller Theater out of N.Y.C. It was hosted by none other than the famous John Zacherley. He would do these great comic interludes during horror movies. Voodoo Island stands out in my mind. Fast forward to WNEW in the late 60s. Cutting edge radio that was thought provoking. I remember a DJ by the name of Roscoe who would read works he had written. Really deep material. As for FM radio in the present day, there are some true free form seat of the pants DJs that can inspire and heal the listeners. The history of Underground Radio really begins with Tom Donahue and KMPX in the Bay Area. Playing complete albums and capturing the spirit of long songs such as Viola Lee Blues or Butterfield Blues Bands song East/West. I believe those pioneers of the mid 60s took great inspiration from classical ragas of India and extended jams of John Coltrane. And going back earlier, dance marathons anyone? But I digress. Certainly Jack Kerouac used spontaneous prose as a form "stretching out". Anyway Ziffle and I must have been at some of the same Dead concerts at the Fillmore East and the Capitol Theater (Port Chester). My fourth row center seat at the Fillmore 9/19/70. Maybe it was Mr. Ziff or one of his buddies who sold it to me on the street before the show for face value. ($5:50) Long live Zacheley! Love and healing to Phil.
October 18, 2015 - 6:24am

#2097

wjonjd

Joined:
January 24, 2011

@Alain - 30 Trips Vol2

Actually, when I first posted I listed 5/11/72, and then immediately said "Oh merde!! I better change that to 5/4 before Alain sees!!!!" and quickly changed it. LOL, that's the truth. :):). "Tragedy narrowly averted!"
October 18, 2015 - 6:01am

#2098

unkle sam

Joined:
October 3, 2008

gninetsil ot eseht swohs sdrawkcab morf 95 to 85 so far

started on the 95 show, very nice, if you notice, this show and a few others were recorded by John Cutler vs others by Dan Healy, the Cutler shows are recorded much better. 94 show is very good, there seems to be a drop out or digi skip when help on the way goes into slipknot, from track 1 to 2, anybody else got this? 93, right away you notice the sound quality is not as good as 95 and 94, recorded by Healy, but a fine show non the less. 92 Hell in a Bucket on this show and 93 show, not my favorite opener and why 2 in a row? Healy again and Bucket starts off inferior recording, but gets better as the show progresses. 91 great show, 8 man band with Hornsby and Branford, great sound, better Healy recording. 90, another great show, with Bruce and Vince, Bruce really did fit in great with this band. 89, 24 track, recorded by Cutler, this is the shit here, best show of 89. I have stories about this weekend in Miami, but will save those for another post. 88, inferior sound quality again and there are way better 88 shows to pick from, why this one? must be the Touch of Gray. The fall 88 tour was hands down better than the spring or summer tour. 87 and 86, 2 discs, short shows, no big jams, nothing special here and another hell in a bucket. I will say the Terrapin from 86 is pretty sweet. I did not go to Dead shows in 86 or 87, giving Jerry some breathing room after his near brush with death. 85 is a very nice show, there were a lot of good shows in 85, especially on the fall tour. The Cutler shows are all top notch recordings, the Healy shows, not so much. I will be listening to the rest of these 8o's shows today, so far, no real problems with discs or anything, the sleeves are way better than those ones from E72, which ripped if you tried to get the disc out, these are much better, the box is nice but won't last very long, made of cardboard, but is a bit sturdier than E72's box, which is very fragile. Love the book, the stories in it are awesome and the way that half is one side up and the other half is up side down, is this the way everyone's is or is mine just put together wrong? doesn't matter, still all there and quite cool. All in all, a good 11 shows to start off the listening experience, I would have chosen better shows for 85 86 87 and 88, but I don't have access to the vault and the shows I would have picked may be worse recordings than these, who knows? Just my opinions and are subject to discussion. More later, have a great day, freezing here in the mountains this am, gonna be a long long cold winter, good thing I have this box to keep me warm :)
October 18, 2015 - 5:59am

#2099

claney

Joined:
July 20, 2007

Contextualizing Dick's Picks 4

ziffle - Incredible posts on the 2/13-14/70 runs. Thanks for all that info, and I always love those first-hand stories. Jim - After Ziffle's contextualization of the shows, here is my attempt to explain why I think they chopped up that run when they released DP4, by contextualizing the release. First, this was released in early 1996, very early in the Vault release experiment - and it WAS an experiment at the time. Dick's Picks 1 was a chopped up 73 show - two discs, DP2 was one (awesome) disc, DP3 saw them chopping up one of the all-time 77 Dead shows (also two discs). So, DP4 was the first three-disc release. More expensive, more risky. At the time in the music biz, A two disc CD set was a big deal, and a three-disc set was nearly unheard of - a "box set." The BIG expensive box sets released in the early to mid-90s were things like Marley's Songs of Freedom, or the Police Message in a Box (ALL their albums and singles, from their whole career, on four discs!!!). This was part of a gradual evolution to bigger releases... first to complete shows (Dick's Picks 5!), then two shows together (DP29), then full runs (Fillmore West 69), and still later to complete tours (Europe 72). Now, it's easy to wish they had figured out earlier that we are willing to cough up tons of money for complete, but this is forgetting yet another factor: We were all much younger then, with far less disposable income. In Feb 1996 I had just finished grad school; I had begun my first full-time college teaching gig only a few weeks earlier. I was living in a shack, putting all my money into ramen noodles and paying down student loans. I would NOT have been able to buy full runs, etc. So, in short, the evolution of bigger boxes and more complete releases coincided with (but was not caused by) the evolution of many of the Deadheads to old farts with some money to spend. Co-evolution baby! It's 27 degrees here in western MA. My wife is making scones, my daughter is making Play-doh people, and I haven't heard much of 30 Trips yet, just hard to with all this other stuff going on. But I will - and life is GOOD. Time for more coffee. Cheers everyone ...
October 18, 2015 - 5:50am

#2100

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Fillmore East sound board + Dick's Picks 4

Top notch for the era from what is stated about the sound board. I think Bears notes mention John Chester unique sound board. Check out Dicks Picks 4 notes for details and also the Allman Brothers Band - Fillmore East February 1970 CD notes that was released on GDRecords. I think I read someplace Dick L or Bear mentioned the tapes were Mono and Stereo, which may have been the challenge of getting them out? Bear mentions the two bands briefly crossed passed in Atlanta 1969, but did not hear the ABB play live at the time. Only hearing their studio album in Autumn later that year, so it was a treat and sort of surprise for Bear to see 2 trap sets, similar to the GD when they were billed together in Feb1970 "Glorious Sunday morning" - love that

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

Listening Party 6/14/76

Let's all give 6/14/76 a listen.

$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

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.

Day Job

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

"Day Bob"

claney

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.

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!

Keep Yo

EDIT:

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..

Thread Police

Have spoke now shut the fuck up about day job

.

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.

Dayjob

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

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

Easy Answers

.

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.

Assuming

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!

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