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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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  • supe80
    Joined:
    Box Art Work
    I hope someone hasn't asked this already. Does anyone know who did the artwork for the outside of the box?
  • johnny361
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    Joined:
    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!
  • KYTrips
    Joined:
    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
  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    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.
  • KYTrips
    Joined:
    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+
  • KYTrips
    Joined:
    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!
  • KYTrips
    Joined:
    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-
  • Cousins Of The…
    Joined:
    1971??
    I have not gone through the 2nd set of 1971...and yes, I listed 1985 twice, my mistake.
  • One Man
    Joined:
    1971?
    I don't see 1971 on your list. And is something listed twice?
  • Cousins Of The…
    Joined:
    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
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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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9 years 7 months
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Galvinized / Florida dallanW / ToddWCorey70/ What shall we call ourselves now that Michael Bolten fans are the bolt heads?
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As wjonjd said, the Dark Star is something else. It is just so interstellar, and out of this world, and will sound immaculate when the CD comes in as it flawlessly transitions into Chinacat. In the months leading up to this release, I have really resisted looking back at any setlists, trying to forget any knowledge i had of shows so i could experience as much surprise as possible. SEPTEMBER 72 IS SUCH A STRONG MONTH. What i find so great is that there are now so many officially released Dark Stars within such a short amount of time, but they are all so unique that listening to one could not prepare you for the next. DP 11, DP 36, are nothing like this. Nor is Veneta, the BCT Stars, Boston Music Hall, Palladium... It is a wonderful time to be a head. I really would like to hold of most listening for when The Box comes, but i have been jumping around lots, and did end up listening to the 83 show in full. VERY satisfied with this pick. I may just stream it yet again. I thought i was going to do things in chronological order like most, but i feel instinct has kicked in and has picked out what i wanted to hear most.
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13 years 9 months
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Yes, obviously Here Comes Sunshine. But, listen to this Cumberland Blues. Go listen. Yes, of course right now. ...... You couldn't turn it off without hearing the Row Jimmy also, right? Edit: Can there possibly be a more perfect answer to the usb group name than Kate's answer: the Deadbolts?? No, there isn't
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9 years 3 months
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Deadbolts works for me, and I'm definitely one. I don't even miss the goodies, the PDF book is fine. I just hope that we get a little box that will fit on a book shelf or CD raack, otherwise I will surely misplace it. Curious if anyone else plans to restore back to WAV for listening (I will copy all as WAV to another stick for playback).
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more facetious than sarcastic I hope. Just as long as you understand that you're comparing apples and lemons there with the MP3 comment. Though admittedly I'd be hard pressed to discern between a 320Kbps MP3 and a lossless, and much less likely to detect anything between lossless files of varying bit rates amongst each other. But the important thing is that we've got this amazing music headed our way. Cheers, brother, enjoy!
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9 years 7 months
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Ziffle, having lost $100s of dollars in lost files due to whatever (crashed c drive)I I will copy to several hard drives, several disks and duplicate 128 usb, this Deadbolt may fail someday, and I' not gonna kick myself for not being prepared."Never could reach it, it just slips away"
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Even with the CD version, I copy to 2 internal HDDs (2 separate computers), as well as an external HDD. You just never know. And as they say...better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
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First of all, I was sure I wouldn't sample the streams but after reading Keithfan's posts the other day I went ahead and listened to some of the '95 show. I thought I might never get around to this one (probably haven't listened to a '95 show since '96 or '97) but it's actually pretty enjoyable. Maybe I'm one of the few, but I always liked Broken Arrow. And I honestly don't remember Vince sounding this good--funny how the memory works. Originally, I planned to listen in chronological order but now plan to jump right into 11-14-73 when the discs arrive. This is the one I'm most looking forward to (with 75, 72, 74 and 76 close behind) and was VERY disappointed when someone pointed out that the show is broken up and not in order. A short fourth disc like some of the Europe '72 releases would have been nice but I'll make the best of it and plan to rip '73 immediately and listen to my copies right away (in proper order on four discs, of course). After that I'll attempt to listen chronologically but am making no promises. There's so much to love in this box! The 79 and 87 shows are probably my two favorite unreleased Brent shows. So actually, a chronological listen seems less likely with every passing minute.
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I previewed some of the shows, skipping around a lot, but didn't listen to the '72 Dark Star...now I feel compelled to after reading your post ;) Edit: OK, this is a great DS indeed...I liked how at ~13.4 mins in they were poised to do the Dew, but quickly changed course, "Abort! Abort!" and found some other interesting mellow grooves...still listening, thanks! Edit2: Goddamn, bro, the post-meltdown/post-drums section was unexpected...and fantastic. And then the China Cat, wow!
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Galvanized, I store everything in my iTunes library as ALAC, it's automatically backed up to a second drive, and I replace the drives every two years or so. I don't listen to higher resolution recordings in a compressed format. I store them and back up that way. I meant, put the lightening bolt on a second stick as uncompressed WAV for listening. I use an OPPO 105D for digital music. Just plug the stick into one of the USB inputs ...
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9 years 7 months
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Ok all you Deadbolts, we each are one of One Thousand! This will be passed down as the family Hierloom. Not only are are you brilliant enough to recognize, and enjoy some of the greatest classic music to date, you have invested in an item of some monetary value, that will be an investment not of monetary value, but that of historical value that will never fade away.When I check out this music will be listened to to, danced to, and just enjoyed by, my decendance for perhaps, an "Eternity"
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Saving up for that Oppo 105 Darby Edition I started with the first show reminded me of the vintage Dead album with the ripple bottle on the cover, only cleaner, no pops, or crackles. A few songs in, and I finally know all the fine lyrics to "He Was A Friend Of Mine" Sweet!
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If you could keep just 3 of the 80's/90's shows from 30 Trips, which 3 would they be? Make your choices as if your life depended on it, and that if you tried to keep more than 3 you would end up buried in a hole in your back yard that you yourself dug...hypothetically speaking, of course.
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Laughing at the Michael Bolton comment...A couple years ago my sister was making fun of him and I said it's too bad, remember when he was cool? She was shocked but her husband agreed with me. "I had his first album on vinyl, don't you remember?" Upon further review, though, it was mostly formulaic crap but the sentimental portion of my brain still likes it a little. It's worth a laugh if nothing else.

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10 years 6 months
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I just saw Michael Bolton the other day! He was down at the Plasma Center with Kenny G.
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Well. I haven't heard them all yet, and those that I have heard, I haven't heard in a long time and not in officially remastered form. That being said, as of now I would go with: 5/16/81 - my high school best friend's first show. Plus, it's Cornell in May!! 7/31/82 - the only show in the box I was at. Plus, it's a damn fine show!! 10/26/89 - the only 80's/90's show in the box from multi-track. Plus, you can use it to scare the shit out of people!! I may revisit this question Furthur down the trip.
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Ha, Fla-Bob, maybe they were trying to earn money for the USB before it sells out.

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10 years 6 months
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RDevil I wouldn't doubt it. I tried to sell a kidney to buy the box, but the nurse said it wasn't worth a Donny Osmond record! My kidney that is.........
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10 years 7 months
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I'm continuing to violate my initial plan of not streaming 30 Trips... 11/14/73 is the first and only show I've listened to completely. The 11/14/1973 show is a damn monster! Of course, I expected it to be a monster, but apparently I was not prepared for the actual "monster level" of this killer show! The second set is classic jazzy space typical of '73, and the Other One may be a top five version (in my opinion, of course). This entire show ranks among one of the best of the spectacular year. We now have the consecutive shows of 11/11 - 11/14 - 11/17. In fact, I'd rank 11/14 as high as 11/11, and 11/11 is perhaps my favorite show of 1973 (or is it 12/2 or 10/19, I can't remember). Anyway, those of you not streaming are in for a tasty treat. I can't wait to hear the high-quality version of this show coming in the box...among all the shows). Thanks to those folks commenting on 9/24/1972. I will be streaming this show tomorrow. I have no idea why I selected to stream 11/14/73 before 9/24/72. Prior to receiving the 30 Trips shows, I knew these two shows would be the first two I listened to, but I didn't know the order I would choose. Anyway, I'm very anxious to experience this Dark Star (among other tunes), as I've heard that it's another spectacular version in a month (and year) full of masterpieces. I mean, is there anything better than Fall 1972? Now that I think about it, why didn't I listen to this show first? I also listened to parts of 10/12/1984. This is a fine show...lots of energy throughout, and the band (especially Garcia) are totally on. This will be the show I grab when I want to listen to classic mid-80s GD. Nighty night.
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10 years 6 months
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Checked out 1967 then 1966 at work Friday.Amazing! Now just exploring: Estimated from 1st set 1977 Dew from 1987 Dark Star 1972 Johanna 1995 That's the beauty of this stream, Listen to a show or poke around. Comments about each show remind me of the Dicks picks booklet. Booklet came near the end of the series and had notes on every release. Just dip a toe in and Listen
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16 years 4 months
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so, the big box book pdf file is now in free circulation via email land - all you gotta do is smile, smile, smile!
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17 years
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I can't for the life of me figure out how to look at the book without signing up for something. But that's fine, I'll get the actual book in a few weeks. I'm glad to hear it's being shared, though. The Box is sold out so I hope everyone who is interested is able to get access. Listening to Maggie's Farm from '92 right now--love this version. "I do my very best to be just like I am but everyone wants me to be just like them,"
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11 years 2 months
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no-brainers: 9/18/87, 9/10/91, and 10/26/89. Although I'd want to keep the '84 show too. My top 10 so far (I've listened in snippets) 1. 11/10/67 (EASY) 2. 9/24/72 3. 4/15/70 4. 11/14/73 5. 9/18/74 6. 9/18/87 7. 9/28/75 8. 2/22/69 9. 10/27/79 10. 7/3/66 (just so novel!
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12 years 11 months
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9/21/72
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15 years 1 month
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Nice the way the disc art reflects each show's date in the positions of the planets. The box lid is of course 12/4/65.
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9 years 5 months
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I just finished the pdf, it's really well done and the fan art is great. The main essay by Nick Meriwether is a fanatstic overview of the period and the only error I caught was they played California Earthquake twice, not just once as he mentions. Dave's notes on the shows are nice and really got me psyched for when the CDs arrive. The scroll is at the end of the pdf. WOOHOO.
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15 years 1 month
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"a visual representation of the band's evolution" -- I didn't see that in the PDF. Not talking about the song chronology are we? Hoping the actual scroll is something a bit... more.
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17 years 5 months
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It was really great to open this box of chocolate and taste 1 from the top level, then skip down to the next row and taste the dark chocolate with Carmel, then take the corner piece with solid milk chocolate... you get the idea!I jumped all over the place and there is not one piece where I stuck my finger in and didn't like what I saw and left it there... I ate every piece I touched and loved every bite! CANT WAIT FOR THIS BOX!! Yahooo!
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10 years 6 months
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The notice doesn't say anything about the scroll being pre-released. Just the streaming links, the book and a "few digital extras" which I imagine are the 2 songs from the vinyl single.
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14 years 7 months
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I do not think the Scroll is what you're referring to. The PDF is clearly the Book only, and the song list is part of the Book's Table of Contents, and the Scroll was always presented as a separate thing.
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9 years 5 months
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I respectfully disagree and guess we'll have to wait to see, but the pdf is for the USB version, so I think it's the scroll mentioned above. "Also included is a scroll that offers a visual representation of how the band’s live repertoire has evolved through the years." I think a chronological list of when songs came and went in the rotation would qualify as a visual representation ;)
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14 years 7 months
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Unfortunately you may be right ("unfortunately" because I think this "Scroll" is quite lame given the description, not because I'm afraid of being wrong). The Credits within the PDF list "Scroll Text" so, somewhere in this thing, there's a Scroll, and in all likelihood it's the Song Chronology section. Oh well. Music is great.
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15 years 10 months
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My friend just told me about this, and I downloaded it on my iPhone and iPad. Pretty cool. Anyone else use it?
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10 years 6 months
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Hmmm...it does say "Scroll Text: Jesse Jarnow" in the credits. The "song chronology" section starting on page 161 is written by Jarnow so that must be what it's referring to. But it would seem that's just the text of the scroll, not the scroll itself?
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10 years 3 months
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wjonjd, your comment on the '72 Dark Star has me so psyched. I think I'll wait for the CDs to put that one on. I'm in tune with your sentiments on Dark Star - how the heck did they come up with something new and awesome on so many nights? I mean, it's incredible how unique they all are. Aside from the main Dark Star them, Tighten Up, and Feelin' Groovy melodies, I can't think of any theme they've played in multiple performances. The Greek show is one that I was really looking forward to. Just re-listened to Dark Star => St. Steven => The Eleven, which is probably my favorite piece of primal Dead music, and it does not disappoint (well, Dark Star and The Eleven could have been longer:-) Jerry has some great chops in Dark Star; the William Tell section of St. Steven is super good here - there's just an intensity and cohesion within the instrumentation and vocals that rocks face-melting intensive; Pigpen has nice chops in the Eleven jam (as does Jerry). I can't wait to get the CD and listen on the headphones and in the car at full blast (and to hear Bob Weir - hard to pick him out of the mix here at my desk at work at low volume).
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17 years 4 months
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Have we ever been hit with such a treasure trove all at once like this? I think not! As others have said, I was going to hold off until Boxzilla made touch down, but what the heck? I will certainly listen to the cds when they arrive, so why deprive myself the enjoyment this stream affords me? After all, I am not getting any younger and who knows when someone may crash into me head on and ruin my ears? Lol. I have only listened to the first show, 1966, and it is awesome. The sound is really good and Pig is shining through. The one thing I have been REALLY, REALLY happy to read here, is that several people, who don't usually listen to the late era, have commented very favorably on the '95 show, and Vince is particular. I was hoping that Boxzilla might open up some minds & ears and that is exactly what appears to be happening already. That is great news for all of us. Maybe some of the crazy arguments here about whose opinion is correct and whose is not, might finally be laid to rest. ALL Dead is GOOD Dead! Peace out & rock on Dead Land. We are living the good life for sure.
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13 years 4 months
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Agree hbob.. ..but being a licensed PHD Psychologist (scratch that) being an expert in deductive reasoning (scratch that) being a whimsical observer that hopefully no one takes to seriously.. I can image all of you as kids.. its the week before the holidays (Christmas or equiv.) and you discover where your parents are hiding the presents and booty. Now fast forward to Christmas day, I can tell you who peeked and played with their presents for the last week and who was truly surprised... (I bet half of you are looking down at the ground right now, hands in your pockets with a feeling of guilty pleasure - you know who you are). I am no forensic doc, but here's a JGB gem from '77. Jerry looks every bit as happy as those of you who opened your presents the night before Christmas. The video is black and white and a bit dark and grainy, but the sound is excellent. Worth the price of admission. JGB 07/09/77 Late - Convention Hall, Ashbury Park NJ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glq7yzbfy-o
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10 years 3 months
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I'm not following you on the week before Christmas thing. How would our parents get the presents a week ahead of time when Santa doesn't come until Christmas Eve?
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9 years 3 months
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Jim and others: I am struggling. I was always a kid that did not open presents at Christmas even when I found them. I am now struggling; do I put my toe in to hear some of the streaming? Reading all the comments from the last few days, it is killing me. What if this is the year I get my drum set (or even earlier a telephone for my room or even roller skates), I do not want to ruin the surprise!
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13 years 4 months
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Santa's elves sometimes make special trips with small presents the week leading up to Christmas, but only for good boys and girls. After adolescence, you might recognize these same elves gathered around in a circle in the hallway at dead shows playing drums. Good people, the elves. Never met one I did not like. ..and Gary. I am struggling too. I am not so sure I will make it. That's why I posted the 77 JGB link. Its like a dose of sonic methadone to us junkies that are trying to abstain. ..but like a piece of Nicorette gum. sometimes it simply does not work.
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14 years 7 months
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I remember finding the Christmas presents one year, and I spliced open the wrapping paper to find out what's inside. Then I re-wrapped the presents in an attempt to conceal my crimes. This unfortunately did not work, though my exquisite splicing techniques did land me a job at Rhino's warehouse. Every silver lining...
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13 years 4 months
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..that creates quite the visual, cracked me up. I expect Dr. Rhino is sending three of his finest goons your way. Good time to take a little road trip, Zuck.
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