30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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admin

Joined:
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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

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August 20, 2016 - 11:39am

#71

supe80

Joined:
August 5, 2012

Box Art Work

I hope someone hasn't asked this already. Does anyone know who did the artwork for the outside of the box?
August 16, 2016 - 12:41pm

#72

johnny361

Joined:
November 1, 2012

hi gang

I spent the day with Cobo 1976. I really like these fall 76 shows with Dicks #20 being a personal favorite since it's release many years ago. This Cobo show is really growing on me with each listen. 30 Trips has been a monster to get through but I love the task! There are still shows I haven't spent time with.. but I will!
August 8, 2016 - 7:16am

#73

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

1975

So... this is another show that's a bit tough to grade. It's relatively short for a Dead show (I think it was just one long set), and I'm guessing that they were part of a bill that included other bands at this free show in Golden Gate Park. Also, it's one of only 4 shows that they played in 1975, so I'm guess they were a bit rusty, though you wouldn't think so from the performance itself. It starts off with a really sold Help > Slipknot that sounds a bit strange without the third jewel of Franklin's Tower, but that comes later in the show. Then there's a long break as the band attempt to summons a doctor from the crowd because a woman is apparently having a baby somewhere near/behind the stage. This alone makes the show memorable. They then move into a really, really good Music Never Stopped, followed by They Love Each Other. Beat It On Down the Line is above-average, in my opinion and it's followed by a good Franklin's Tower. Big River is straightforward, and the first disc ends with a routine It Must Have Been the Roses. The second disc starts off with an above-average Truckin' followed by a good jam and Drums. That heads into an excellent Stronger Than Dirt/Milkin' the Turkey which eventually leads into 10+ minute Not Fade Away which is light on lyrics and strong on jamming. The show ends with Going Down the Road Feeling Bad and a very energetic One More Saturday Night. The highlight of this show for me is the Music Never Stopped, but there really are no off numbers in the entire show. It's a consistently good show from start to finish. Overall Grade: B
July 23, 2016 - 8:55am

#74

unkle sam

Joined:
October 3, 2008

1990 1994

Just returned from a long road trip and listened to these two shows in their entirety during this trip. 1994 was the first listen. Show starts off with a nice Help>Slip>Franklins that is nice, Jerry in good form and everyone contributing their parts, not the best, but not bad. Then Walkin blues, not my favorite and Bobby's slide work is ok at best, then Atlhea, a good tune done well by Jer. Me and My Uncle, Big River and Just like Tom Thumb's Blues, no real Jerry in MAMU, BR just ok and JLTTB's has Phil taking lead vocals, enough said. An ok So Many Roads and Jerry sounds tired, voice a bit shaky and "old Jerry" sounding. Promised Land is good, with Bobby in fine voice, which ends the first set. Second set starts off with Scarlet>Fire, scarlet is ok but the Fire is grate, with Jerry getting his voice to perform about as good as it can get for these days. Way to go Home is next and I always liked this song, Vince in fine form throughout with Jerry adding some fine lead lines. Then into Saint of Circumstances, no Lost Sailor which I miss and wish they would not have dropped from the list, it's the better of the two tunes. A nice Terrapin with Jerry hitting all the notes and lyrics into a short but very trippy drums into an excellent space with Jerry showing us all that he can still blow heads away. Everytime there is "The last time" after a drums>space you know it was a great drums>space, like you know this could be the last time you ever hear that wonderful sound again. A good but short Stella with Jerry sounding tired in both voice and playing into a good OMSN. The encore is Liberty, a great tune that Jerry flubs the lyric on, but comes back and repeats it right. Thought the sound was ok, but a little boomy All in all a good show but....C+. 1990, good first set with a great Jack-a roe black throated wind ramble on rose and bird song, Jerry in fine voice and playing with bruce on the piano making it all sound nice. The second set here is very good, Chinacat, rider and saint all done well, very deliberate and a bit on the slower side, which is nice. At Crazy fingers and this is where it starts to get real good, the ending jam in Crazy Fingers has a bit of the x factor and was very nice then into Playing>drums>space>playing reprise, just awesome all of it, I highly recommend it. The stella is very nice into throwing stones into a great NFA with crowd chant into a fine one more Saturday nite. All in all a good show from France. The sound was ok, but had a bit of an echo in spots, not sure if it was the audience singing along or an echo, but was a bit distracting in places, a bit boomy in parts also, but all in all, not bad....a solid B. I haven't had time to get to all of them, but these two I took along just to give them a good listen, was not disappointed. For the 90's, both shows were ok, but not the same band we all fell in love with in the 60's and 70's.
July 19, 2016 - 2:12pm

#75

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

1974

I will go out on a limb here and officially declare the 1974 show as the first "miss" of this embarrassment of riches known as 30 Trips Around the Sun. First of all, there are a few sound-related issues that I had to overcome. The overall sound "quality" is very good, but I definitely thought that Jerry's guitar was too low in the mix (who does that... puts Jerry's guitar low in the mix?!!!?) and then there is the issue with the vocals for the first 2 songs of the second set ("Loose Lucy" and "Big River") which are missing. I mean... they're there, but they're apparently not being picked up by the mic intended to pick them up or they didn't make it to the recorder... Whatever's going on, they're not to be heard in these recordings, unless you lean into the speaker and hear them buried somewhere off in the distance. In any event, it annoys me, and I think it spoils what would have otherwise been a pretty decent "Loose Lucy" (one of my faves). In addition, this show contains a between sets "Seastones." Not my favorite in any case. So... this show was fighting an uphill battle for me. The show kinda begins with the boys being a bit sloppy. The "Uncle John's Band" opener is nice, but uneven. "Jack Straw", "Friend of the Devil" and "Black-Throated Wind" are all unremarkable. The standalone "Scarlet Begonias" is a notch up from the previous songs, but that tune was still really finding its legs in the Dead's repertoire in '74. The next 5 tunes are again, unremarkable. The first CD ends with a nice "To Lay Me Down." I have to admit, I'm partial to this song. I've always loved it and thought it was underrated as a Dead song. The first set ends with a 23+ minute Playing In the Band which is good, but again, nothing special for this era. Then we are faced with "Seastones" and the aural problems mentioned previously to start the second set. A good "Peggy O" and an unremarkable "Me and My Uncle" round out Disc 2. The meat of this show (and presumably, the reason it was included in 30 TATS) is in Disc 3. Things finally take off with a wonderful "Eyes of the World" and the rest of the show is pretty darn good. Highlights for me included the Truckin' > Drums > Caution Jam sequence, which is pretty hot. The "Drums" is particularly interesting in that in addition to Billy on drums, Phil is also participatory in the part of the show. "Ship of Fools" is really nice and smooth and the "Johnny B. Goode" to close the set is also pretty smokin'. "U.S. Blues" is a good encore and a nice way to round out the evening. I'll be brutally honest... I don't think this show would have ever merited release on it's own, so it was, in my opinion, thrown into this box set. I certainly hope it's not the best there is remaining in the vault from 1974. However, I'd be less than honest if I didn't acknowledge that the third disc of the show is pretty darn good. But it certainly was my least favorite show thus far in the box. Grade: C+
July 18, 2016 - 7:59am

#76

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

1973

It took me a little while longer to get to this review than I would have liked... Life's been busy with vacation and then I was in trial for a week (I'm an attorney... don't throw rocks), so my listening has been sporadic for the past few weeks. At any rate, let me start off by saying that this show is a total GEM!! Although I don't think it's the best of the box, so far, I do think it might be my favorite so far. It starts off again with a "Big Railroad Blues" which to me is a sign of good things to come (see my review from 1972). The next few songs (Jack Straw, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues) are all good, but nothing special. After all, it's just the first set. But then, this show morphs into a classic. "Here Comes Sunshine" is one of those songs that I absolutely love, and that I feel the band didn't play often enough. Accordingly, it was, in my opinion, a treat when it did show up in a setlist. Well... this one may be the best HCS EVER! It's so melodic and the playing so smooth, with a killer jam in the middle of it. It ebbs and flows nicely and you know from this point going forward that "tonight" is going to be "one of those nights." The other part about this show that is a bit different is that the first set is EPIC in length. It's actually longer than the second set, and the goodies start showing up much earlier than in a typical Dead show. I'm not going to go song-by-song, but the remaining highlights of the first set for me are: an appearance of "The Race Is On"; a very nice "Brown-Eyed Women"; "Tennessee Jed" and a late-first set China>Rider. The first set closes out (more than mid-way through Disc 2) with a hot "Around and Around."As good as the first set is, the second set is even better (although I still think the overall highlight of the show is still the "Here Comes Sunshine" in the first set). Due to timing issues, the second set actually starts on Disc 3, with the final three (3) songs on the set appearing at the end of Disc 2. I definitely recommend listening in the order in which the show was played. And let me tell you, Disc 3 is awesome!!! It is basically a non-stop, continuous 70+ minute jam which begins with an excellent "Truckin'" which then morphs into an unbelievable, three-part "The Other One" sandwich, which has "Big River" and "Eyes of the World" for the filling. It is hypnotic the way the boys weave in and out of "The Other One" throughout this portion of the show, never losing stride and hitting on all cylinders. Finally... the last portion of "The Other One" leads into a great "Wharf Rat", and they finally silence their instruments for a few fleeting moments. The show closes with three (3) stand-alones... "Me and My Uncle" (which seems strange to hear this late in a show), "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" and "One More Saturday Night". They're all good, but it's almost impossible to top that which just went down in the first 70+ minutes of this set. I definitely see myself coming back to this show over and over in the future. Show grade: "A- to A", depending upon my mood. Again... I don't think it's the best show, so far, but I do think it's my favorite!
May 24, 2016 - 11:10am

#77

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

Ahhh.... 1972

If ever there was a more stellar year in GD history, I'm not sure what it would be (okay, okay... I realize this topic is up for debate, but I cast my lot with 1972). That being said, I had really high expectations for this show, as I do almost all '72 shows. This one didn't disappoint. However, I do think that this show will suffer a fate of being underplayed by many Heads, as it's so close in proximity to the DP 11 show from the Stanley Theater in Jersey City that took place 3 nights after this gem. I do think the Stanley Theater show is better, but this one is pretty great too. My only knock on this show... I think the sound is a bit spotty. There's one period in the show where the tape hiss is very audible and a bit distracting until you realize you're just gonna have to deal with it. The show opens with one of my personal faves... "Big Railroad Blues". You know a show is gonna be good when they open with this one. Everything in this show is filled with energy. Hell... I even liked "Mexicali Blues" which to me is usually a snoozer. "Loser" and "Black-Throated Wind" both deliver, while the band takes a bit of a breather in a subpar "Cumberland Blues" in my opinion. "Sugaree" is great (as per usual), and is followed by a consistent run of "El Paso", "Tennesse Jed" and BIODTL. In my opinion, this show REALLY gets rolling when they break into "Bird Song" later in the 1st Set. I've heard much better versions of "Big River", but the first set closes with an awesome "Brown-Eyed Women" and a MONSTER "Playing In the Band." Not bad... and that was just the 1st Set!!!The 2nd Set kills! The boys keep raising the pot (no pun intended) with each subsequent song, starting with "Greatest Story Ever Told" and continuing through "Bertha", "Promised Land", a beautiful "Fried of the Devil" and "Jack Straw". Things fall off a bit when they play "Tomorrow is Forever", a short-lived song in the Dead repertoire for good reason in my opinion. Then they ease back into things with MAMU before they head into "Dark Star" which is sandwiched around a nice little drum solo by Billy. Out of "Dark Star"?... Why yes, I do believe I will take a China Cat>Rider. And it's a good one. The show closes with the Bobby one-two.... "Sugar Magnolia" and "One More Saturday Night". All in all, a great show. Grade: A-
May 23, 2016 - 6:56am

#78

Cousins Of The…

Joined:
September 10, 2009

1971??

I have not gone through the 2nd set of 1971...and yes, I listed 1985 twice, my mistake.
May 23, 2016 - 2:58am

#79

One Man

Joined:
May 17, 2011

1971?

I don't see 1971 on your list. And is something listed twice?
May 16, 2016 - 12:19pm

#80

Cousins Of The…

Joined:
September 10, 2009

1984!

I'm usually partial to the 60's and 70s, however this show is tremendous! short but impeccable first set, from beginning to end; second set is quite adventurous, with a long UJB, a standalone Playin' reprise and a killer Morning Dew. My favorite 80's Trip so far. Revising my rankings... 1970 1967 1973 1975 1974 1972 1976 1968 1984 1969 1977 1983 1991 1979 1980 1981 1982 1978 1990 1993 1992 1966 1985 1986 1994 1985 1995 1987 1989 1988

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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