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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
rrot x 2
It's supposition yes, but not baseless. I won't get into the facts that lead to the supposition just to argue with you, but let's just say, they've been incredible secretive and have demonstrated a good deal of incompetence along the way. I mean really, they haven't said what it is, just that it's not exactly perfect. Why not say "the book isn't ready due to blah blah blah" It's a cover up.
I think its an accurate reflection of the box
Otherwise, how would Allmusic know the setlist to 7/3/66 or that the end of 11/14/73 had been moved to the previous disc to keep the big jam intact?
got that info from dead.net
yes, and then, transcribing it, removed all the show data and labelled it only disc 1 through disc 80.
And I'm actually explaining how that probably, most likely, to a near f@cking certainty, has nothing to do with dead.net or how the box is really constituted?? I surrender.
Some will still choose to believe that it is.
The world is stranger than we can suppose.
If you want to think it's an accurate
reflection of the box, then you've got to believe there will be no indication where one show begins and another ends, that there will be no sign whatsoever that disc 52 belongs to one show or another. Because that's what allmusic is showing.
I agree with Shakespeare
I think his post that the handling of this snafu is unprofessional was Dead on. If you are one of 6000 plus people that committed to probably one of the most expensive music box sets ever, you deserve a little bit more of an explanation than what was given. It came off unprofessional & everyone is simply left guessing as to what is the issue. Yes people can wait to ensure that they get the product as close to perfect as it should be. But how about a little more public relations?
In the grand scheme of things it is not such a big deal. The unbearable humidity has finally broken here in NYC, 1st NFL Sunday coming up, Jewish New Year as well. So life is still pretty good, enjoy the weekend & maybe feed off this famous Shakespeare quote: Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.
maybe I'm wrong...
maybe the special widget that's not ready for the box set is some kind of lightning bolt and skull device to help someone get that stick out of their ass.
good points rrot
As usual, rrot you make good points. You wrote: "Is there really any doubt that the shows will be treated individually?"
Not long ago I would have replied - "Of course there's no doubt." But that was before they systematically refused to respond to my queries on the subject. I have yet to see a single person in this forum say they wish the shows were all in a giant folder or something. Not one. But many have said they want the shows to be in individual cases of some kind.
So, if they did plan it as one big folder, my explanation for their silence is that they've realized they'd better keep it under wraps until after credit cards are charged.
That is, of course, crazy talk and totally baseless, but it stems from being ignored. So I'm going for the crazy talk all the way, hahahahaha. If they would like to answer my simple question, perhaps I'll see things differently.
EDIT - Marye - are you reading this? Any chance you can help get an answer?
rrot
Don't have to be so cranky...no one is suggesting that this is proof that the shows won't be individually stored in the box...in fact, it's quite the opposite.
If you look at their listing of The Golden Road set (http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-golden-road-1965-1973-mw0000011100), they do the exact same thing; its a 12-disc listing. As we all know, the albums were still stored individually on that set.
However, it's clear that Allmusic has seen more of the box than we have, given the presence the complete 7/3/66 on their list.
Sorry, forgot I surrendered
The crank is gone.
You positive thinkers, take the field!
Packaging
I also tend to agree that the All Music listing is accurate, and that it doesn't reveal in any way how the shows are packaged. And yeah Claney, I don't think anyone wants a big binder full of 80 discs as the packaging. If this is to be the Box to Rule Them All, then individual Digi-Paks please.
allmusic
Well, they credit "Salt Lake City" to being written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love which is an entirely different song altogether and highly unlikely to be an error on the box set CDs or liner notes themselves.
That alone gives me pause for concern as to the accuracy of any of it.
Packaging and Tracklist ,, where's the product reveal
Rhino Cat got your tongue ? I don't really care when the box ships,, because I am under the impression it's going to happen,, but the email they sent a few days ago stating delays was a scramble and that one was to cover their butt, so nobody went Legal on them..
I would suggest from Upper Tier Rhinos that you provide more info (video trailer of Box reveal) before this thing ships. What's with the Blank Stare? and I thought when this was announced they had already seen a final product? Such as,, Product dimensions, credit to Artist, how's CDS, and 7 inch will be packaged,, are a few things to address..
Tracklist, I wasn't expecting really any surprises, most of the shows I have heard,,
Disc 15 (9.24.72) looks to be one of the top for me,, it has the Dark Star > China > Rider. And I believe it's followed up by a Super Skull Splitter attack from Garcia on the next disc (11.14.73) Here Comes Sunshine,, this should melt a lot of faces
Rhino what's the plans for Black Friday ??? Deadline is coming soon,, please no revisits on released material.. Would love a Mono Recording for the Black Friday Grateful Dead release. And my guess for Dave's Picks 16 is a show from 1971 MG stash or a November / December 1981 show. To finish the year with an 80's pick would be a nice gesture and then get everybody fired up for 2016 Subscription by teasing the MG stash 1971 show for the first pick of 2016..
RSD suggestions
4.24.66
5.6.70
Or Avalon October 1968 !!! Order up
tracklist
There's some 31-40 min discs in there. I would imagine it would be the acme of foolishness to expect some filler. Franklin's Dancin' as an entire disc does not have my heart palpitating. Since it appears they kept the long jam of 11/14/73 together by moving some things, is it complaining too much to think they might have done the same on some shows they could have knocked down to two discs? I went through Spring '90/TOO to burn my car discs as 2 disc versions, and I only had to take out Space on a couple of shows and move some encores or parts of set II to disc 1 to accomplish that. (Though I also had to excise the fades as well, which took the most time, and I removed some crowd noise on a couple of shows.)
Also, I'm curious at the specificity of the review on the allmusic page. You'd think that that review was actually written by someone who listened to the entire set, especially given the comment on the drums becoming more schtick as the years/shows progressed.
Packaging
I stand corrected, most of those boxes has the paper Road Trip style fold out sleeves that scratch the CDs when you try to remove them from the sleeves, not really what I consider individual packaging that stands up to being put on the shelf out of the boxes.
I would like digipacks like Dave's picks, not trifold sleeves that barely fit the CDs or DVD sized packaging that only fit on my DVD shelf.
I guess it doesn't really matter as they will go in storage for safe keeping once they are ripped.
your post
I know. I don't anything about Hd files or flacc files. I've only bought files for shows that don't have an option physical copies. as a purist I don't know anything about new technology. Ponos I have no clue about but they look baddass. I really wish the digital owners would get the USB with box because it's deserving for the price. thank you for your explanation because I'm old fashioned. I agree with you I will use the files to put in Itunes but will wait for the box because to me it's like having sex before you meet someone. thanks for your post and knowledge
re: packaging, delay, lack of info
I hope they are similar to Dave's Picks and not like E72 or the RTs where they scratch the disk or rip the cardboard. Would be cool if they had liner notes for each and every show.
Bummed that they're delayed, but would rather wait and receive it exactly right from the crack equipment crew. I think the negativity would be a lot worse if they released it messed up and then had the horror show of taking it back and sending out whatever is messed up. SNAFUs happen, would be nice to know what happened.
Not interested in low quality mp3 streams. I'd rather listen from my stereo speakers than my pc speakers. Would be a nice reward to be able to download high quality flac/alac or even HD tracks for this issue, but I totally understand why they would not do that...
I think the lack of details in the actual cd packaging is TPTB's attempt at trying to minimize the profiteers the opportunity to gather the remaining stock.
I do wish Dave had done more videos talking about the shows and why they were chosen. His enthusiasm is contageous and I look forward to them even with the wind and distractions. The effort they spent with the countdown, they should've really celebrated this boxset while we waited.
IMHO they should've included the Flash Drive with the boxset and increased the number available to reach the same profit margin.
While we wait, could the wise sages here come up with the runner up 30 trips for us to listen to (archive or release) while we wait?
I do hope that there's a companion show released for DaP16 (Oxford ME anyone???)
I look forward to Bliss's interview with Dave!
Keep it cool - we're all frustrated - it's going to be worth the wait!!!
What's everyone listening tonight???
Qustions Unanswered...
Look..although I have been a lurker here for years, this is my first post.
I have really been frustrated at the unanswered questions posed here, so I decided to contact Rhino corporate in Burbank.
I just received a call-back.
Most of the information was useless, but I did relay lots of concerns mentioned here.
I was told he will try to talk to the "higher-up" powers that be, to post answers to these questions on the dead net site.
1. Will the USB have fades or will the second sets run continuously with no breaks
A--no idea. But good question. He will raise this question and hopes to have the answer posted on dead net.
2. Why was the box delayed.
A--not certain, but he understands it was an issue that needed to be addressed and could not be overlooked.
3. Will the shows be individually packaged or will they be included either with the book or packed together in some sort of folder.
A--Although he personally has not seen the box he has been told each show will be in its own packaging. Whether digi-packs or tri-fold sleeves or whatever he wasn't sure. Along these lines, he said everything he has heard about the book would point to the book being a separate part of the set and not some sort of integrated book/disc package.
For grins I asked about the decision to not include Santa Clara in the Fare thee Well set. He said this has been a huge cause of complaints. He has relayed this up the chain before and will do this again.
Please...I know there isn't much here that is very solid. I pass this along as an example that getting straight answers, even from corporate Rhino is impossible.
At best, maybe these questions will be passed to someone who matters and knows. Please--no flames towards me here--I'm only trying to get some answers like all of you.
Hey, I'm shocked I got a call-back/response.
Go with the flow
Now a special box treat will be most appreciated for the unforseen circumstance :) keep on rockin In the fee world. Rain or Snow.
My crazy notes
If anyone is interested in the weird way I split up discs when I copy them, here's how the box set seems to be shaping up. For everyone else, please ignore the rest of this post:
-1966 Discs 1 and 2 can be combined except for Midnight Hour (can be added to disc 1 or 2 from 1967)
-1971 Add Greatest and JB Goode to another show as filler. Discs 2 and 3 can then be combined
-1976 Samson added to end of set one disc and Playin-Encore on Disc 2 just leaves Roses for filler
-1978 and all 3 disc shows (72-74, 82, 83-etc...will have some room for filler tracks)
-Maybe keep Lindley Meadows intact as 2 discs, which leaves much room for other tracks on these 2 discs.
-1979 Combine discs 2 and 3- Dancin-Black Peter(cut). Then Black Peter-Encore as filler (for 2 disc show)
-1980 Stranger/To Lay Me Down at end of Set I (2 disc show)
-1984 Cold Rain>Don't Need Love at the end of disc 1 (2 disc show)
-1985 Good Lovin +Encore at end of disc 1 (2 disc show)
-1988 Fantasy>Encore on Disc 1 (2 disc show)
-1989 Estimated-Blow Away on Disc 1 (2 disc show)
-1990 Throwin -Encore is extra for 2 disc show, also 10 minutes left at the end of disc 1
-1991 Help/Slip/Franklins on Disc 1 for 2 disc show
-1992- Lovelight and Encore on Disc 1 for 2 disc show
-1993 Days Between>Encore on disc 1 for 2 disc show
-1994 is a 3 disc show (61,70,51 min)
-1995 Encore on disc 1 for 2 disc show
-1972/1973/1974/1981/1982/1983
and 1994 are all 3 disc shows. The current count looks to be 66 discs. Then again, this all depends on the accuracy of the allmusic timings. I can't imagine anyone splits up shows like I do, hence they're my crazy notes.
got a reply back today from Rhino
I'm new to this message board as of today but I have been following these threads for months now. I sent Rhino an email via their contact info on their website. This was my message and their response:
Thank you for your email, Kevin.
The shows will be in digipaks.
Thank you for your patience.
Dr. Rhino
From: XXXXXX@yahoo.com [mailto:XXXXX@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2015 1:04 PM
To: Dr.Rhino
Subject: 30 Trips Around The Sun (Grateful Dead)
Hello,
I’m sure at this point you have received many emails about this box set and now that the shipping date has been pushed back people are starting to get angry. I for one am not angry, but a little concerned. My concern is I have pre-ordered something that I have not yet seen and am about to be charged $700 for it. Is there any indication that this product will be revealed before I am to be billed for it on Sept 17th. Now, with no actual shipping date and no product information I am starting to consider cancelling my order. I don’t think it is a very good business practice to expect customers to pay up front for something and provide them so little information on the product itself and base their purchasing decisions solely on speculation. If you could answer one question, I would greatly greatly appreciate it. I just want to now how the cds will be packaged within the box. As individual shows? In digipaks? That sort of thing. If no information is given out about this product before the September 17th billing date, I will unfortunately have to cancel my order which I really don’t want to do. I just can’t justify supporting a business model such as this, playing on the loyalty of fans of this band.
Thank you,
XXXXX XXXXXX
woohoo digipacks
That makes me happy, even if they are delayed. I'd be happier with a photo of said digipacks. Its the silence from TPTB that creates the wild speculation on the board.
Listening to
Jim Lauderdale "I'm A Song" Two songs penned w/ Robert Hunter. Produced with George Jones in mine.
rdevil
I phrased it that way because I know I offended some but not all since we are all in the same boat. I'm happy you got a chuckle out of it and that apology was meant for heads like you. I don't want to be like the fox whose only place is to be negative.I love checking these boards everyday. as phish fan first this forum and the DEAD'S live music has made me realize the Grateful Dead is a much more fuller version of happiness. I have become to love the completeness of the music I've bought here. Yes; I love Phish but the music from the DEAD is more fulfilling and yes that hurts to say but I love them both but the music is where it's at. I'm glad you got a chuckle. I was a late bloomer my dog is named after the PITTS. 03 Phish show. My next dog will be named Scarlet. This is heaven for me; the dead and good conversation
@ctoleary @kerchman @guss
Well done ctoleary and kerchman! You got responses. I'm especially chuffed (:) to see Dr. Rhino's response about digipacks. That is all I wanted to know. Why they couldn't have told me that is a mystery (I swear my email was very friendly, in fact, I didn't even threaten to cancel - maybe that was my mistake).
So, I get the box, yeay!
By the way, I hope you both stay involved... thanks for posting!
guss - to answer your question, why no digipacks for E72 - they went through a phase of using the trifold cases for almost everything. Sometimes it worked, as with the really cool looking and high quality sleeve for "To Terrapin, 5/28/77" - which I loved. But mostly it didn't - the Road Trips covers tended to scratch the CDs, and the E72 covers were just cheap and ALWAYS rip eventually. There was a large groundswell of demand for digipacks, and they listened.
I think it's actually cool that they tried different things - I really like the graphics of the May 77 box, for example, but those DVD sized cardboard cases just didn't work quite too well.
And everyone else, sorry for freaking out.
Individually Packaged shows
I got an answer from Dr Rhino as well (Yes, my names Kevin too):
Thank you for your email, Kevin.
The shows will be packaged individually within the box.
I do not have any photos available.
Dr. Rhino
wonder if they delayed announcing the delay for end of quarter
I wonder if they delayed announcing the delay of the release but still collect the money this quarter for their quarterly results to their parent company, Warner Brothers???
Warner Brothers
The entire run of 30 trips sold out is 5 million 200 thou dollars. Net is likely less than 3 million dollars. Warner Brothers is a multi BILLION dollar company. Warner Music is worth 780 million or so. Not sure where Rhino is listed but I don't think this is a drop in the bucket. More like a drop in the lake...or ocean. Affect earnings...uhh...nope, don't think so. No single release by any artist could matter much. Same with interest in the money collected. Nothing much there either.
Drops in the Ocean
I just did the math (always a risky proposition), and when compared to other sales of CDs in an age of downloads and streaming, these are some big drops. Remember that to calculate sales for gold records, etc., the record industry uses single disc sales. So, figure 80 discs times 6500 (30 Trips), plus 36 discs times 16500 (Dave's Picks), and you get 1,114,000 CDs sold for 2015, not counting RSD, FTW, and such. Not to mention iTunes, Spotify.....
Dave's alone is selling over a half million discs a year. Not many contemporary artists can say that.
Math question
I''m not following your Dave's numbers, Claney. Where is the 36x16,500 Dave's come from? If we're talking individual discs, not counting bonus discs, isn't it 4 dave's releases at 3 discs each at a quantity of 16,500 for year 2015? Isn't that 12x16,500 instead of 36x16,500? Which would be 198,000 discs. Perhaps I didn't properly understand what you were calculating.
What happened to ...
those seemingly-credible rumors about 8/4/76 CD/DVD being released this year?
digipaks
I wouldn't go as far as to threaten to cancel an order if the shows came in a binder or whatever. I think those people who plan on selling individual shows from this box on Ebay would be unhappy with the binder, on top of the delay to complete the transaction. I would imagine that for some people, their Ebay feedback ratings could take a nosedive, if that even really matters. If I were the selling type, I would wait to have the package in hand before committing to a binding agreement to sell. Potential issues with the item when you receive it would be a setback, then you'll have to wait all that much longer after the first delay to fulfill the transaction. It's a risky proposition, and $700 is a lot to gamble in order to make or recoup money, or even pay for the shows you want.
Myself, I'm still trying to decide whether to listen chronologically or jump straight to the '85 or '88 show. The multi-track mix treatment of the '89 show will be absolutely sick. Of course there's that '91 Branford show. Decisions decisions. There are so many "must have" shows, I think my head will explode the moment I open the box.
Fennario & Kerehman
Nice job securing some info on the individual packaging.
Packaging is a big part
of the overall...package.
I'm glad to hear that the shows will come in individual digipaks, so they can easily be put on a shelf with our other CDs.
If the shows were to come all together in a folder or book, without individual packaging to differentiate them, well then you might as well just get the USB and burn your own CDs, no? I mean, what would be the difference then.
I do find it disturbing though that someone here was virtually salivating at the possibility of others encountering some imagined ebay financial misfortune.
Why wish for the misfortune of others? Sad.
Mid-October?
I checked the status of my box order....now says October 31st for a scheduled ship date.
Not sure how that translates to a mid-October release.
RE: Packaging is a big part
The USB files are at a higher resolution than CDs, so you would have to dither them down to 16/44.1 for the CD. This process is easier said than done and best left to those that have the proper equipment and software to do it properly.
wjon
um, yep. That's why I should not do math while lying in bed, after drinking a number of gin and tonics.
I actually figured 12 discs, and then somehow increased that.
I think I'll stop talking now.
EDIT - I remember now what I did. I figured 12 discs. Then, while writing the post, I had a thought process that went something like this: 12 times 3 discs = 36. Does that make sense? Not at all.
Okay, I really am going to stop talking now.
Gin and tonics
Further evidence that whiskey and doobage is the way to go!!! I think your point still holds :):)
order delay
umm, if they charge me in mid-sept and ship after 31 Oct, then if there is a problem I cannot dispute the credit card bill, can I? After 30 days from the statement date.
what if the box never appears or whatever
hey rhino, how about some answers to all the questions, like what's going on?
Re: Credit Card Dispute
I think it depends on the card.. but I had an issue a few years back that went back much more than 30 days and AmEx investigated the matter and refunded me 100%.
..but I'm still holding out hope that this will be a decent release. There are several shows in this offering that have my attention, some old, plus Cape Code, Augusta and MSG.
I think I am somewhere in the middle of BrianHahne and OneMan in listening habits. For E72, Brian (must have) started with a few dozen pots of coffee and didn't sleep until he listened to the whole box. One Man must be close to finishing his first listen now, but needs to review and re-write some of his notes as the Staples near his home has run out of paper (again).
(kidding folks).
I expect it to take me on the heavy side of six months to get through this monstrosity. ..and I doubt if I really hit too much other stuff so I am getting in my diversity now. Doc Watson yesterday, Summertime, when the livin's easy. Man that guy can pick.. super clean.
Good Luck FH2 and everyone else.
RE: Packaging is a big part
If you copy the USB to a hard drive, transcoding to Apple Lossless at 44.1/16 bits, put the whole lot in iTunes. You can burn the CD's from iTunes easily. But they will NOT be HDCD encoded! Just ordinary CD quality if you want something better than the 320 mp3's included for listening in the car.
On a Mac this can be accomplished easily as a batch operation using freeware XLD by setting the following preferences in XLD: In the "General" preference, set output format to Apple Lossless, click the option button, and set "Sample Rate" to 44.1, and "Bit Depth" to 16.
Below that is "Output Directory" click the "Specify" button, and then click "Set" to tell the app where to put the files.
In the "Batch" preference, make sure that "Preserve directory structures" IS selected, and make sure that "Delete original files" is NOT selected.
Then close the preference, and use the usual File menu "Open" and select all of the folders (or however they deliver the USB version) of FLAC files, and go have a cup of coffee and cut the lawn (if you have one) or whatever. It will take as long as an hour, depending on how fast your processor is. This is very easy and XLD is a great reliable application. Then, burn away at will.
I'm sure that there is equivalent and easy to use Windows software that will accomplish the task, but I don't know anything about that. Maybe someone else can provide a Windows explanation.
Sound Quality?
Happy Saturday Deadland. I have a question regarding the sound quality of this release. Please keep in mind that I am not very well versed in the technology of recording. In my opinion from listening to the releases over the years The Other One is easily the best dead mix I have heard. I revisit those CD’s often and love them. The Europe 72 releases also sound great to my ear as well. I believe I can hear a big difference between these and the Dave’s Picks and Road Trip series. Is there any way of knowing what to expect with the CD’s in this release. Mixing is one of the most time consuming and costly parts of a release, right? Is there concern that they may have rushed this or was it done right? Thanks in advance!
Sound Quality
I hope I am wrong but I fear the mastering has been very rushed indeed... if you go back and play the 'listening parties' on this site [as well as other sites like uncut] you will hear tracks - especially the 80s which are significantly below what we have grown used to with DPicks - obviously most of this is because the 80s soundboards are either cassette masters or very early digital tapes but the work done on DaveP 8 and DickP 32 show with time and care in the mixing you can overcome a lot of the drawbacks. None of the samples offered so far for 79 to 88 suggest this work has been done... even the 89 sample [from a multi-track] sounds 'unmixed' in that Brent's voice and keyboard dominate in a way that they addressed in Spring 90 1&2
I really do hope that I am wrong but I fear this will be a very expensive lost opportunity and I say this having ordered my set on the first date and acknowledging I am still very excited in anticipation...
Perhaps we should have all gone for the USB as the high-res files for Spring 90 1 sound stunning through even a mid level portable player
Watchya gonna listen to first?
When reviewing the list of shows that are included in this release as they were revealed in June, a few shows came to mind that I wanted to hear first.1. 11/10/67 I had a bootleg CD sometime ago and it seemed to have a muddy sound, but great performance. I hope the official release cleans up the sound.
2. 10/27/79 I still have a sbd cd-rs of this show, I hope this official release improves the sound, also it's my birthday.
3. 10/27/90 I only streamed this show via Sennheiser HD480 headphones. again it's a b'day show!
4. 10/01/94 Sometimes ya just gotta get into 1994.
5. 02/21/95 sure beats those Chicago shows in July (of '95), in my opinion.
6. the 1968 thru 1977 shows - my favorites.
Later on, I decided to play everything in order of year, similar to I have done with Europe 72 for the last five years.
sound quality
Spring '90 TOO and Europe '72 have the best sound quality, because they are from multitrack masters. The first Spring '90 set was mixed from a 2 track mix, the second was culled from a new mix of the 24 track masters. Europe '72 was remixed from the 16 track masters (as was Fillmore West '69), so Spring '90 TOO, Europe '72, and FW '69 ought to sound the best. Dave's Picks and Road Trips as well as Dick's Picks are from 2 track masters, so there are definite limitations in how much Jeffrey Norman can change the mix, such as to lower Donna, or bring up Bob. By using individual tracks, he can give you the feeling of being onstage as with Spring '90 TOO, or inside the Fillmore. 10/26/89 is one of the shows in 30 Trips that comes from a multitrack master, I think it was on a 16 track. Some people complain about the sound on the Formerly the Warlocks box, which also came from a 16 track source. I think it sounds good, but not great. I think the 30 Trips set will have a range of sound quality, and would expect 10/26/89 to be the best sounding. Hopefully they used multitrack masters on other later shows as well.
As to rushing, I think they gave Mr. Norman a breather with the last Dave's Picks and chose one that had already been readied for release as Dave said the May '77 box was almost an April '78 mini-box of 4/21-24/78. I would think, they put the time and effort into getting the sound quality to be as high as they could.
And I'll be listening in order from '66 to '95, so I can hear the evolution of the band's sound in an easy to discern and digest manner.
The Wait
Some great comments on this board about the postponement of shipping. Could be somebody dropped the ball, created a logjam, slacked off or procrastinated, and now we have this holding pattern of doubt and anger. It's a bit funny, the veracity of this setback creates a lot of downtime for some who were anticipating spending some quality time with the sounds. It could have been worse, could have been discontinued, or a filibuster could have been used to stop the release, or put into a permanent suspension, stalled in a endless holding pattern or lost in a long cooling off period. The setback has put to test the resolve of deadheads and this cunctation will pass. The sales pitch was "don't delay" order yours now, get it before it's too late, due to ship...the lag is hard to handle, but we will survive this jam. Others commented that they would cancel their order, or that the ship date is after the date that you can dispute a charge on your credit card. Others are afraid that the sound will suck, that it will be sloppy productions and bad or less than stellar mastering. Relax, why worry, it will all be ok, I worried once so much I was worrying why I wasn't worrying anymore.
Anyone out there remember the Europe '72 box? I had 10 bad discs in that one, with several ripped cd cases made of cardboard, it took over a year, but it was all settled and all was replaced or refunded. I don't think dead-net or rhino is out to rip us off and the delay is better than the alternative - a sub par product that we all will complain about, or worse yet, return for a full refund.
Could you imagine all these boxes coming back to rhino for a refund, that could be funny, as long as you didn't work there and have to deal with it.
By and By, we will survive.
Resale
Wishing for others misfortune? No. Expressing something about how it would make perfect sense to wait to have product in hand before committing to a resale by a specific date, only to have delays and before a proper inspection of the product to assure quality is the point I made.
If I were a buyer who already paid money for a product in a second hand market, expecting it to arrive by a certain time, and expecting it to be exactly as described is what I would hope a seller would take into consideration. I would find late shipping and potential inferior product far more disturbing as a buyer than some friendly advice to potential sellers.
Oh well. Some lessons are learned through trials and tribulations, and some salivate at creating imaginary conflict.
product sku
081227955892