30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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admin

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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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June 5, 2015 - 6:51am

#7191

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

E72

I've heard a lot of people on here lament the fact that they don't have the cash to buy this new box set. I totally get it... It's a LOT of money. Fortunately, I can afford it, but I even paused to drop $700+ (w/ tax) for this. Don't get me wrong, I think it's totally worth it. I just don't spend that kind of money on much of anything. I've seen at least one person on here reference possibly selling the Europe '72 box set in order to be able to afford this new one. I'm just putting it out there... If there's anyone interested in selling their E72 set, I'm interested. However, it would have to be in very good shape, and include all of the stuff that came in the original package. I'm most interested in the music, but I also like the bells and whistles (plus I think the steamer trunk case is awesome... LOL). I'm not interested in the all-music edition. Heck, I can buy that here (and I still might resort to that). I'm also not interested in paying "Ebay prices." I think you all know what that means. Anyway... I hope all of those that want this new box set come into some surprise cash so you all can afford it. It's a shame that they can't just give it away, but the world doesn't work like that much anymore. At the end of the day, it's a business, first and foremost.
June 5, 2015 - 6:38am

#7192

kirkmc

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Wow, you check all the boxes

Wow, you check all the boxes there. "trying to limit supply, save on production cost while driving up retail prices, and stiffing long time fans?" You don't have to buy them. And, yes, they do have to make a profit. "The 5 shows are impossible to get tickets for and the websites are raping people with horrendous scalp prices." You don't have to go to the concerts. "Lastly, these staggered releases of limited edition box sets or shows is a gimmick to garner early-bird sales -- one of the oldest marketing strategies around." The limited edition is probably because pressing and packing costs make it unfeasible to do a lot of small runs; they save a lot per unit by doing one big run. As for staggering releases, I'm not sure what you mean. You want all the Dave's Picks for a year to drop at the same time, like TV series on Netflix?
June 5, 2015 - 6:35am

#7193

kirkmc

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Tree rings

Think of this box set as tree rings; you look at the tree, and examine each ring to see what happened during a given year.
June 5, 2015 - 6:26am

#7194

wissinomingdeadhead

Joined:
December 17, 2011

@brianhahne

Check your PM, Peace
June 5, 2015 - 6:06am

#7195

MinasMorgul

Joined:
February 4, 2015

petalumaotis

I understand your frustration, but if you think about it, Rhino does not have anything to do with ticket prices, and the Grateful Dead already acknowledged and apologized for the ticket situation, which is part of the reason they added 2 more shows. That covers that. As far as the box set situation, what would you have Rhino do? Lose money? Then no music gets released ever. They are doing what they need to do to make as much money as possible, it's a business. That's never going to change. Heck, I wish they had broken this box set up into two volumes, so that I wouldn't be stuck with a dozen shows featuring Brend Midland, who consistently stinks the place out with his off-key, gravelly vocals, and Play-School piano/keyboard sound effects; but I know they're a business, and they don't want a warehouse full of shows that the market doesn't want as much, so they slap it all together, knowing that they will sell out this way anyway, and that the profit is made. Read Jim In MD's comment #92; he does a great job describing the reason for the business model they've employed. I don't think they're gouging fans at all. The cost of the CDs per unit is standard. And why not put on a couple of shows to celebrate a-momentous-o-ccaision! (Dan Akroyd Closing of Winterland intro). I think you need to rethink things a little bit. It sounds like you're lashing out in anger, perhaps indignant of the high cost, perhaps a little envious of the Grateful Dead themselves, and their Hawaiian homes. The prescription? - put on Disc 3 from 5/25/72 and reconnect with the soothing sounds of the 70s... jayclark - I hear you man, I would only buy '66-'78 if you could buy them individually. But I understand the reason they don't - more profit doing it the way they're doing it. And I shouldn't be so pessimistic - there IS a rhyme and reason here - it's the anniversary year, and a show from each year is a logical way to produce a box set. I mean, can you imagine if they only did '66-'78? The problem is that these bears did it for thirty years....
June 5, 2015 - 6:06am

#7196

rrot

Joined:
October 3, 2009

E72 was a microscope

E72 was a microscope, a detailed view of one tour. Though by itself E72 tells us nothing about the huge issues of what came before and what was to happen later, any serious study of the Grateful Dead would want to use that tool to investigate the band as it negotiated a significant phase of its development. To date, there's been no equivalent tool to investigate the development of the band over its entire career. Now there is one. Not a microscope this time. Something more like a series of core samples, perhaps. A small group of respected scientists have drilled into the geologic record left by the band, bring us perfectly preserved samples taken periodically throught their career. It could be claimed that this box isn't "necessary." Some academics have even asserted that the need for 30Trips is "manufactured" -- it's merely an artifact of marketing. That's true, of course, but it was just as true for the 73 discs of Europe '72. If there is indeed nothing "new" to be found in the 4/25/77 Passaic show (a debatable proposition), that argument cuts against Wigan, 5/7/1972 as well. We don't "need" either one. Or so some academics might say. But we have them. As tools for study of this band (does the Grateful Dead merit serious study?), each set has drawbacks as well as merits. The merit of the new set lies precisely in its broad overview. Every important configuration of the band is present. As with E72, we could have wished for more, certainly. There, as was noted by many at the time, visual documentation could have been provided. Here, we might reasonably ask for a show from each tour, rather than simply one from each year. But the realities of the marketplace are inexorable. So this is what we have. Would one recommend 30Trips to a student, to a person seeking to understand what this band was, what they did, how they changed, and stayed the same? Yes. I don't see why not. If I were a librarian, I would insist on acquring this set. The accompanying texts by Meriwether and Jarnow have the potential to open many areas of discussion. Those cats have got some serious academic chops as well as a demonstrated depth of knowledge about the band. I personally can't wait to see what they've contributed. I said above that there was no such tool before this set. That was false, of course. A mere conceit. We have archive.org. Anyone making an academic investigation into the Grateful Dead has already had, for quite some time, an unparalleled tool for research. There is really very little that the market can add to our understanding at this point. But not nothing. McLuhan has been invoked below, and we can take him seriously rather than letting his words simply wash over us. The medium IS the message. What this box set is telling us is that the age of the commodity is not yet over. Despite the instant availability of Grateful Dead music from every era, at no financial cost to the listener, thousands will still demand physical objects for their own possession. Indeed, we will use the very internet that delivers free Grateful Dead music to us to demand that we be allowed to pay for it! And that's a fine discussion to have, too.
June 5, 2015 - 5:47am

#7197

petalumaotis

Joined:
June 29, 2013

Right on!

And they already have the capability to stream shows over dead.net. Why are they gouging the fans? How many homes must they own in Hawaii or how much dough to you have to leave your kids or entourage when you kick?. No tot be a skeptic or morbid but The Grateful Dead stopped existing 20 years ago and now we have the Dead just making money and putting on mediocre shows with various artists.
June 5, 2015 - 5:39am

#7198

petalumaotis

Joined:
June 29, 2013

What is going on?

Why is the Dead -- Warner/Ryno -- trying to limit supply, save on production cost while driving up retail prices, and stiffing long time fans? The 5 shows are impossible to get tickets for and the websites are raping people with horrendous scalp prices. Lastly, these staggered releases of limited edition box sets or shows is a gimmick to garner early-bird sales -- one of the oldest marketing strategies around. Would you guys have treated your fans this way 20 years ago. JerBear is rolling over in his grave. Shameful.
June 5, 2015 - 5:38am

#7199

jayclark

Joined:
November 24, 2011

Individual Shows

I wish they would just catalog the shows and allow you to purchase just the ones you want. Why package them together and put such a big price tag on the set. It seems to me that most deadheads like certain eras of the bands sound. It would be nice to log on pull up a list of all the available shows and simply purchase the ones that are of interest to you.
June 5, 2015 - 5:27am

#7200

kirkmc

Joined:
June 4, 2007

It's definitely not sold

It's definitely not sold out...

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

Gifted my stream

I am waiting for the box. Gave my stream and download to my friend the underpaid, overworked Philadelphia school teacher who is a veteran of 350 plus shows. Enjoy it Craig you deserve it.

moron

you'd have to be a fool if you don't use the stream...I listened a little and jumped right to 1970 which is the year that I love but not enough out there...1972 is my favorite year and it's been well represented...so I listened to the 1970 show then jumped to 1994 and it was supriningly very good...you just have this instinct that it would be horrid...not so by a long shot...great set list great performances...I don't disagree there's no replacement for the CDs on disc but if they're giving you streaming you might as well use it.

Artwork

If you download the book in the back there is separate artwork for each show. if you scroll through fast you can see the planets are in different locations for each cover

Stream

I haven't streamed anything yet -- on purpose. Am I the only one? I plan to hold out, then listen/write chronologically. I'm on a Velvet Underground + Lou Reed kick right now anyway. Man, some of that Lou stuff is fantastic, and some really terrible.

To Stream Or Not To Stream...

That is the question.. You are not the only one. I am waiting as well.

Avoiding the stream

I too am bypassing the stream, and following the river due north to CD country. Sound quality is one of the most exciting parts about the releases, so I'll wait until the full sonic glory arrives.

Yup

I'm a moron too ...

Not Streaming

I made the decision not to stream the full shows... I did give the 2 songs from the vinyl a listen and have been listening to the 30 Trips Min-set on Spotify. Good stuff! Glad you all are enjoying it so much!

RSD request

March 23, 1975 SNACK

Grateful Dead

I am jamming it backwards. 95>94> and so on till >66. I am treating the 90's as the first set. The 80's as the the second set opener. The 70's as the post space spectacular. The 60's as the wildest encore ever. My first show was 1985 Alpine. When I was 16. I am also the guy in the DVD from Alpine " It's All Down Hill From Here " who jumps up on his seat twice after Feel Like A Stranger. I was so happy. I got free tickets from will call minutes before. Just like I am now with the music from this box set. Peace.

Stream or not? (not!)

I'm definitedly not streaming, but I am enjoying the various comments from those who are. I will wait for the full audio quality. I am currently listening to mid-90's King Crimson (Live in Argentina). I will limit my GD listening somewhat to clear my palette, and then I will start at the beginning and make my way to the end, slowly and savoring, with some sidetrips to other shows from the period that I've reached in the 30 Trips set. Figure it will take half a year to get through it all. But I am reading the book. Excellent.

Seastones / Phil and Ned

Is this the first official release of a live Seastones/Phil and Ned? I have a hard time believing that it is, but I can't for the life of me think of another one, and google ain't helping.

I'm guilty of streaming (?)....

....I went nuts last night. Overdosed in fact. Tonight, I'm focusing on MSG '87....will treat it as a bonus DaP until further notice....there can't be any issue with picking one show and sticking with it, is there?...?

You gotta start somewhere....

I finally chose 1987, when I was 25 and drove to Eugene to see Dylan & The Dead. The second set is perma-grin that won't end!

Seastones

Ned Lagin released Seastones in 1975. It was re-released in 1991. It is on Amazon. Kind of pricey. Rock on

seastones

there is a live (edited though) copy of seastones on Dick Vol 12 (June 26 & 28 1974) and very fine it is too!

Streaming Ad Nauseam

I am streaming the shows that aren't in my usual listening years. I started with the '95 show. Barring a So Many Roads tune here and there I can't even remember the last time I put on a show from this year. So far, I think it's excellent. Vince tears it up in TMNS. Jerry sounds good considering you could count his months left on one hand. Good tunes and good playing. I'm not sure where to go to next. Have I ever even listened to a full show from '84 or '86? Probably, but not in this decade. So this is why I'm streaming. I can say with absolute certainty that once the physical cd's arrive and I have the ability to listen in full sonic glory wherever I want, the likelihood of me choosing a '94 show over a '73 show is about the same as my two female cats starting to get along.I didn't think I was going to be able to purchase this thing. So I'm grateful there were still copies a couple weeks ago when I placed my order. I am stoked about getting it. This box is going to take months to get through with the attention to each show it deserves. Man its good to be a Dead fan. Spoiled with riches.

re:ZIffle

That KC B'Boom is a nice recording and the start of the THRAK era live shows with the double trio line up.If you haven't spent your whole music budget on this box, the THRAK box is preordering now and might even ship before the 30 Trips box at this pace. While it only covers a couple years, 1994-97, it does come with CD, SACD and Bluray copies of the remastered material in the same box.

Seastones

Ned Lagin released the vinyl LP Seastones on Round Records (RX 106) in April 1975. There was also a SQ Quad version with the same catalogue number. Or the two channel stereo version is a mixdown from the quadrophonic master, I don't know. Rykodisc released it on compact disc (RCD 40193) in 1990 or '91, depending what source of information you want to believe. I remember it being released on CD, but I can't remember what year. The Rykodisc is 2 channel stereo. The SQ Quad version has never been released in a surround sound DVD or surround sound Blu-Ray or the defunct DVD-Audio format, to the best of my knowledge.

Seastones

O.K....

Here's my take on the streams: At first I was like some people and not touch it until the box set arrives and then i thought : "hey, I paid $743.73 for this thing and due to recent life events I could die tomorrow so I might as well enjoy it while its there!" I havent listened to full shows, just trolling around. Ive listened to parts of the 77 show and its a great one. Slower tempo but it rocks! The "Peggy-O" is pretty tasty! I listened to 84 last night. Pretty good, musically it jams but Jerry's voice does not sound good at times. Im looking forward to the 72 show (of course!) the most so I'll probably save that for the box. Another good thing is that for those of us with no record player we can listen to the 45. "Caution" is pretty good but Phil's voice on "BOR" has a very rough start.I'll probably troll around today before NFL time! Take care folks and ENJOY!!!!

Streaming

I'm going to wait for the CDs to do any real listening, but I did check out the single and a couple of the AUD patches. I figure it's better to know about them now not as a surprise while listening.The book pdf though, is very cool and will save me having to crack the spine of the real one when it arrives. Which is fine, I need glasses for the book, but the pdf on the monitor doesn't require them. My plan for listening to the box is rip the CDs to HD and splice the tracks into set long suites and then randomly shuffle through the almost 60 suites. I've found this to be a great way to listen to new shows, as it provides an experience as close to being at the show as possible because it takes away the set lists and just uses the date and set. I find it helps to force active listening as you play the "what's coming up next game" and it's those surprises that are what made going to multiple shows so worthwhile.

Thank YOU

A couple of week's ago I wrote a rant about my bag luck including the delay of this box. A very kind soul on here helped me out with some stuff I don't have (it came yesterday and yes it's incredible) and I personally want to say THANK YOU. I am indebted for this act of kindness and will pay this act of kindness forward when ever I can. THANK YOU

Seastones

Both the original LP and the Rykodisc CD reissue (which has two versions of Seastones) are SQ encoded. I have seen that someone decoded one of the two (not clear which) and converted it to DVD-Audio format, quad (4.0), but I have never found a download. I have also seen mention of it as a dts 4.0 CD, but again, never found a download. There are some old (non working) web pages (via cached versions) that refer to torrents of the material. It is there somewhere ... Just by the way, there are still releases in DVD-Audio, very few, but from time to time (Flaming Lips, King Crimson, XTC come to mind), also multichannel SACD & Blu Ray.

45 RPM single

I don't have a vinyl record player. I ordered the CD box set, and for that price, I would have appreciated getting all the music included in the box set. If they didn't want to press a CD single instead of a vinyl single (which I have no use for), I wish they would have at least included a link where I could download the two songs, rather than stream them, so I could burn my own CD and add it to the set. Related to this box set, when I ordered it, I thought it was such a good idea to listen to one concert a year in chronological order, I picked 35 shows from my collection of CDs, and am now listening to them. I'm up to 1980. However, I don't have any live shows from 1986 or 1987, but I do have Garcia shows from those years, so I'm using those instead. I guess I could also include the Dylan and Dead CD for a 1987 show.

Multiple posts 5x

Sorry for the multiple posts(5), dust on the old desktop. @Ziffle: Thank you for clarifying the subject up for me. I rarely listen to this release, I really can't remember when the list time I had listened to the Rykodisc release, about 5years or so.

RE: Seastones

Thanks - I know about the album release, but I meant a Seastones "set" from a live GD show, like the one on 9/18/74. I had forgotten about the edited one from June 1974 Dick's Picks.

Seastones

The "jam before Dark Star on The GD Movie soundtrack is usually considered Phil & Ned with friends. "Jam" > (Grateful Dead) – 8:54 "Dark Star" – 24:10 from Nedbase. 10-18-74 - Grateful Dead at the Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA - Ned plays during the first half of Set II: "Ned and Phil" > jam > "Dark Star" > "Morning Dew". Nedbase can be a great research tool. What I used to think were Wall of Sound problems, like hums and buzzes are actually Ned's electronic music breaking into the mix. http://nedbase.blogspot.com/

Pretty cool!

If u look @ page 138 in the pdf of the book, they used my "estranged soon-to-be ex-wife's" drawing I submiitted. A skull with vines over it and flowers in the eyes.....

RE: Seastones

> Nedbase can be a great research tool. What I used to think were > Wall of Sound problems, like hums and buzzes are actually Ned's > electronic music breaking into the mix. I guess I could open up Deadbase50 ... I have not had to chance to dig into it yet. The GD Movie soundtrack must be the Phil & Ned I was thinking about, but this boxset is the first stand alone version? It's really a shame they didn't include it in the DaP 7/31/74 release. I like that one. It makes most Spaces seem downright tame. I never liked Healy's screwing around with Weir's vocals in the 80s, but if he could have brought a little Nagin to some of the songs, that would have been ok. The Dead could be wonderfully weird, but it seemed like a waste when they relegated it to 15 minutes during the second set.

Healy

Just the mention of it makes me laugh. some of those Other Ones coming during the post space peaking period and all of a sudden it's like Mickey Mouse is singing. i'm giggling to myself now just thinking about them.

Database of USB Lightning Bolt Purchasers./ AKA Boltheads

Just a thought, we gave up packaging for the possibility of better sounding files. There are only going to 1,000 of us when this is all said and done. This lightning bolt will be a monument on my vault, next to my Beatles 24-bit complete stereo recordings. (Wish there was a mono 24-bit Apple)How about it Bolt Heads? Who are you? Where are you?

I'm one

Yes I'm one of the hi res freaks. Hopefully the high res will go well with my Chord Hugo dac/tube amp and too many high end headphones

I'm one

Yes I'm one of the hi res freaks. Hopefully the high res will go well with my Chord Hugo dac/tube amp and too many high end headphones

I'm one

I've streamed a little here and there and the show selection sounds top notch. Maybe the USB's will make it before the box in the end. Really would love all the goodies but in the end it's about the music so I had to go 24/96. I buy hi res when ever possible but have no 24 bit dead yet, although I probably have over 500 gb of lossless files of them.

24-bit Dead

I have Dowloaded some off lossless legs, if the source was analog tape my old ears can definatly hear the subtle increase in fidelity. Looking seriously at Spring '90 TOO

Streamin in Kentucky

Hola! Well, I fully relate to Nanno-1974's post. I had prepared my full-on arrogant "First Show 1974" (as if anyone cared!) gameface and would refuse to listen, much less even open, the streaming link. It lasted ZERO seconds. Decided I was only punishing myself, and began as I planned, listening-wise, to proceed chronologically and am now in Set I, Waterbury 1972. What has struck me the most so far is pretty simple: the remarkable leaps in musicianship both individually and as an organic, living group of musicians. The biggest being at the beginning: 1966 to 1967 to 1968 was simply tremendous. Here we are in '72, and aside from the simple reality of the technology of recording, the Band is so different, but so true to what it was in the beginning. David - You were brilliant in your prescience and judgment in how best to honor this trip. Sincerely and fully, thank you. Just . . . thanks. Kentucky Scott

PS & PPS & PPPS

PS - For those waiting, this is not a criticism. And, I anxiously await your reviews as I respect not just your choice but having read your past posts, I am certain there will be ample insights and challenges to my own prejudices and impressions from what you write. PPS - Though as a friend of Bill W I no longer indulge in changing my state for listening, I am honoring the Boys (and girl) by breaking into my special humidor for these sessions in my listening-room/mancave . . . so far, a Simon Bolivar bellicose, a Paratagas Lusitania, and more than a few Cohiba Esplendidos! There is something to be said for the pleasures of being 56! PPPS - I am sooooooooooooo glad I ordered and didn't wait as the "hard" Box is now sold out.

All the years combine

Crank up that old "Victrola", put on your rockin shoes!

I'm waiting

on 384/48 X-HD files, you know it's coming in a few years...my cat is even more anxious than I am to hear the ultra-high frequency nuances that have thus far been missing from our music listening experiences. I can't wait to see her little head turning from side to side while i'm wondering what the hell she is hearing.

24 bit Dead

Galvinized, you should run to your computer and buy the download Spring TOO, I believe recorded by John Cutler on 24 track Studer A800 machines, the finest analog had (and has) to offer. This is a 24/192 kHz download. The mix is excellent, with a live in the studio sound, and the playing perfect, unearthly fine. Transcode the FLAC back to uncompressed WAV, start listening, and you will be transfixed.

Re: Bolt Heads

Although I love this designation for those who purchased the USB, I believe the term "Bolt Head" is already used for the rabid fan base of one Michael Bolton. I'll be honest with you, I love his music. I do. I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman".

Bolt Heads

I would have thought that "Bolt Heads" were fans of Dr. Frankenstein. But I am a proud member of the 1000. At least I will be next month (hopefully).

Into the 7th trip around - '72

I won't spoil things for folks who haven't listened yet with any song by song discourse, and I've learned that many here are much more talented at doing that than I am and I eagerly await their posts. I'm into the Dark Star of the of the 9/24/72 show. I think I posted already about some of the stuff up through the '70 show. Well, the '71 show rocks and rolls with many blistering standouts. The '72 show is yet another '72 miracle. It seems every time they played that year they made even the most mundane into the new and surprising. Just check out the Big River, the Devil's Friend, and of course the Playin' is another masterpiece. Dolly Partons "Tomorrow Is Forever" is a treat, and right now the Dark Star is melting the universe - how can they keep coming up with so many new things to say in this song?? So far this box is everything I was hoping it would be. Edit: this Dark Star is GREAT GREAT GREAT.

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