30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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admin

Joined:
March 9, 2007

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Helpful hints for using your USB:

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

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

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

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

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September 12, 2015 - 11:38am

#4651

wurm79

Joined:
June 24, 2012

RE Watchya gonna listen to first?

Dig the post born cross-eyed. Here's the shows I'm probably going to dive into first. 1) 10/21/83 Worcester, MA - This show is appealing to me since it's a Brent Bday show, and I've never heard this show yet as well. It sounds like it could be a hot one, since it follows the Fall 83' Hartford run. 2) 6/24/85 Cincinnati, OH - Another mid-80's show that I haven't touched base with yet. Should be good since it's June 85' show. 3) 9/18/74 Dijon, France - Wall Of Sound.. I'm ready for some Phil bombs!! 4) 11/28/80 Lakeland, FL - Big fan of anything Fall 80'. This is the only November 80 show that I haven't heard yet.. Looks really good. 5) 3/18/71 St. Louis, MO - Really hot 71 show. It'll be nice to hear a official remastered version of this..
September 12, 2015 - 11:18am

#4652

bohlint

Joined:
September 9, 2015

Re: Sound quality

Alvarhanso, thank you for your response. Would you or anyone out there mind explaining what determines if a show is mixed from a 2 track, 16 track, 24 track, ect. If 16 track was available for shows as far back as 69 shouldn't it be available for at least some of the other releases of lesser sound quality? For example, why was a 2 track mixed used for Spring 90 1, and a 24 track mix used for Spring 90 2 (The Other One Too) when all the shows were from the same tour. It seems like the 24 track mix should have been available for both boxes. And for the DaP's and RT's were 16 track mixes not available for some reason or did they opt not to use that method? Thanks again just trying to get a good grasp of this process!
September 12, 2015 - 11:11am

#4653

SPACEBROTHER

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Resale

Wishing for others misfortune? No. Expressing something about how it would make perfect sense to wait to have product in hand before committing to a resale by a specific date, only to have delays and before a proper inspection of the product to assure quality is the point I made. If I were a buyer who already paid money for a product in a second hand market, expecting it to arrive by a certain time, and expecting it to be exactly as described is what I would hope a seller would take into consideration. I would find late shipping and potential inferior product far more disturbing as a buyer than some friendly advice to potential sellers. Oh well. Some lessons are learned through trials and tribulations, and some salivate at creating imaginary conflict.
September 12, 2015 - 10:33am

#4654

unkle sam

Joined:
October 3, 2008

The Wait

Some great comments on this board about the postponement of shipping. Could be somebody dropped the ball, created a logjam, slacked off or procrastinated, and now we have this holding pattern of doubt and anger. It's a bit funny, the veracity of this setback creates a lot of downtime for some who were anticipating spending some quality time with the sounds. It could have been worse, could have been discontinued, or a filibuster could have been used to stop the release, or put into a permanent suspension, stalled in a endless holding pattern or lost in a long cooling off period. The setback has put to test the resolve of deadheads and this cunctation will pass. The sales pitch was "don't delay" order yours now, get it before it's too late, due to ship...the lag is hard to handle, but we will survive this jam. Others commented that they would cancel their order, or that the ship date is after the date that you can dispute a charge on your credit card. Others are afraid that the sound will suck, that it will be sloppy productions and bad or less than stellar mastering. Relax, why worry, it will all be ok, I worried once so much I was worrying why I wasn't worrying anymore. Anyone out there remember the Europe '72 box? I had 10 bad discs in that one, with several ripped cd cases made of cardboard, it took over a year, but it was all settled and all was replaced or refunded. I don't think dead-net or rhino is out to rip us off and the delay is better than the alternative - a sub par product that we all will complain about, or worse yet, return for a full refund. Could you imagine all these boxes coming back to rhino for a refund, that could be funny, as long as you didn't work there and have to deal with it. By and By, we will survive.
September 12, 2015 - 10:18am

#4655

alvarhanso

Joined:
January 16, 2014

sound quality

Spring '90 TOO and Europe '72 have the best sound quality, because they are from multitrack masters. The first Spring '90 set was mixed from a 2 track mix, the second was culled from a new mix of the 24 track masters. Europe '72 was remixed from the 16 track masters (as was Fillmore West '69), so Spring '90 TOO, Europe '72, and FW '69 ought to sound the best. Dave's Picks and Road Trips as well as Dick's Picks are from 2 track masters, so there are definite limitations in how much Jeffrey Norman can change the mix, such as to lower Donna, or bring up Bob. By using individual tracks, he can give you the feeling of being onstage as with Spring '90 TOO, or inside the Fillmore. 10/26/89 is one of the shows in 30 Trips that comes from a multitrack master, I think it was on a 16 track. Some people complain about the sound on the Formerly the Warlocks box, which also came from a 16 track source. I think it sounds good, but not great. I think the 30 Trips set will have a range of sound quality, and would expect 10/26/89 to be the best sounding. Hopefully they used multitrack masters on other later shows as well. As to rushing, I think they gave Mr. Norman a breather with the last Dave's Picks and chose one that had already been readied for release as Dave said the May '77 box was almost an April '78 mini-box of 4/21-24/78. I would think, they put the time and effort into getting the sound quality to be as high as they could. And I'll be listening in order from '66 to '95, so I can hear the evolution of the band's sound in an easy to discern and digest manner.
September 12, 2015 - 9:53am

#4656

Born Cross Eye…

Joined:
August 25, 2008

Watchya gonna listen to first?

When reviewing the list of shows that are included in this release as they were revealed in June, a few shows came to mind that I wanted to hear first.1. 11/10/67 I had a bootleg CD sometime ago and it seemed to have a muddy sound, but great performance. I hope the official release cleans up the sound. 2. 10/27/79 I still have a sbd cd-rs of this show, I hope this official release improves the sound, also it's my birthday. 3. 10/27/90 I only streamed this show via Sennheiser HD480 headphones. again it's a b'day show! 4. 10/01/94 Sometimes ya just gotta get into 1994. 5. 02/21/95 sure beats those Chicago shows in July (of '95), in my opinion. 6. the 1968 thru 1977 shows - my favorites. Later on, I decided to play everything in order of year, similar to I have done with Europe 72 for the last five years.
September 12, 2015 - 9:01am

#4657

lgreen

Joined:
December 20, 2007

Sound Quality

I hope I am wrong but I fear the mastering has been very rushed indeed... if you go back and play the 'listening parties' on this site [as well as other sites like uncut] you will hear tracks - especially the 80s which are significantly below what we have grown used to with DPicks - obviously most of this is because the 80s soundboards are either cassette masters or very early digital tapes but the work done on DaveP 8 and DickP 32 show with time and care in the mixing you can overcome a lot of the drawbacks. None of the samples offered so far for 79 to 88 suggest this work has been done... even the 89 sample [from a multi-track] sounds 'unmixed' in that Brent's voice and keyboard dominate in a way that they addressed in Spring 90 1&2 I really do hope that I am wrong but I fear this will be a very expensive lost opportunity and I say this having ordered my set on the first date and acknowledging I am still very excited in anticipation... Perhaps we should have all gone for the USB as the high-res files for Spring 90 1 sound stunning through even a mid level portable player
September 12, 2015 - 8:52am

#4658

Ziffle

Joined:
July 21, 2015

RE: Packaging is a big part

If you copy the USB to a hard drive, transcoding to Apple Lossless at 44.1/16 bits, put the whole lot in iTunes. You can burn the CD's from iTunes easily. But they will NOT be HDCD encoded! Just ordinary CD quality if you want something better than the 320 mp3's included for listening in the car. On a Mac this can be accomplished easily as a batch operation using freeware XLD by setting the following preferences in XLD: In the "General" preference, set output format to Apple Lossless, click the option button, and set "Sample Rate" to 44.1, and "Bit Depth" to 16. Below that is "Output Directory" click the "Specify" button, and then click "Set" to tell the app where to put the files. In the "Batch" preference, make sure that "Preserve directory structures" IS selected, and make sure that "Delete original files" is NOT selected. Then close the preference, and use the usual File menu "Open" and select all of the folders (or however they deliver the USB version) of FLAC files, and go have a cup of coffee and cut the lawn (if you have one) or whatever. It will take as long as an hour, depending on how fast your processor is. This is very easy and XLD is a great reliable application. Then, burn away at will. I'm sure that there is equivalent and easy to use Windows software that will accomplish the task, but I don't know anything about that. Maybe someone else can provide a Windows explanation.
September 12, 2015 - 8:49am

#4659

bohlint

Joined:
September 9, 2015

Sound Quality?

Happy Saturday Deadland. I have a question regarding the sound quality of this release. Please keep in mind that I am not very well versed in the technology of recording. In my opinion from listening to the releases over the years The Other One is easily the best dead mix I have heard. I revisit those CD’s often and love them. The Europe 72 releases also sound great to my ear as well. I believe I can hear a big difference between these and the Dave’s Picks and Road Trip series. Is there any way of knowing what to expect with the CD’s in this release. Mixing is one of the most time consuming and costly parts of a release, right? Is there concern that they may have rushed this or was it done right? Thanks in advance!
September 12, 2015 - 7:39am

#4660

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Re: Credit Card Dispute

I think it depends on the card.. but I had an issue a few years back that went back much more than 30 days and AmEx investigated the matter and refunded me 100%. ..but I'm still holding out hope that this will be a decent release. There are several shows in this offering that have my attention, some old, plus Cape Code, Augusta and MSG. I think I am somewhere in the middle of BrianHahne and OneMan in listening habits. For E72, Brian (must have) started with a few dozen pots of coffee and didn't sleep until he listened to the whole box. One Man must be close to finishing his first listen now, but needs to review and re-write some of his notes as the Staples near his home has run out of paper (again). (kidding folks). I expect it to take me on the heavy side of six months to get through this monstrosity. ..and I doubt if I really hit too much other stuff so I am getting in my diversity now. Doc Watson yesterday, Summertime, when the livin's easy. Man that guy can pick.. super clean. Good Luck FH2 and everyone else.

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

Anniversary

Today is ours... or I should say.. it's the anniversary of the '68 show from this box. Wish I could celebrate.

In Donna's defense

Exhibit A: Comes A Time, 5/12/1977 (May 77 box set). Sublime harmony by Donna backing up Jerry's soulful singing (and playing). Interestingly, this selection falls within a Playin' sandwich, and her 2 "wails" sound just fine. She definitely had her moments, both good and not so hot. Edit: I noticed several folks started doing this "edit" thing a few weeks ago, as opposed to actually editing the original text. I just didn't want to feel left out.

Still waiting in ATL

I guess I feel a little better that I'm not the only one dealing with this. Called customer service last week - nice people, but totally clueless about the situation. Emailed both dead.net customer service and Dr. Rhino last Friday, both wrote back that they're looking into the delay. Still no word on what the hold up is. I love that folks in Europe and Australia have already gotten theirs, but it's driving me crazy that we're still waiting here, completely in the dark. On the bright side, the frustration has led me to finally join up and create a username, just to be able to vent. Thanks.

Thanks Donna

I would like to comment on how much Donna's singing went so well with the Dead at the time. Donna was no Joplin but neither was the Dead. One exception her final show she sang a note way off key I don't know what she was loaded on.

The Wait

Mags, thanks for the info. I just called customer service and was told that international orders shipped first. She then told me that domestic were being shipped in the order that they were originally ordered. I mentioned that there were several southerners on the forum who had not received theirs and she said "well maybe they are shipping them geographically". I then asked if she knew when the total order was set to be completed and she said that they weren't even supposed to ship until Halloween and that the boxes that have already gone out went out early (even though this is contrary to the info we received saying that shipping was scheduled for mid October).

Where's my box?!?!

Just called Dead.net minutes ago and was told something completely different than you were yonderdawg. I was, however, also told that they were shipped in the order in which they were purchased, which isn't true - I ordered mine on the first day. I was also told this time that the delay had to do with packaging the item for shipping. This hasn't happened before with any of the other releases and it is getting ridiculous. Just glad that I have already received a bill from the credit card company for payment on this thing when I don't even have it.

2-Track

Yeah, I know that after the tape is recorded, the 2-track mix is baked in -- like ingredients in a cake -- no way to unbake it and put in fewer eggs. I was talking about WHILE it was being recorded Kidd Candelario or whomever could have lowered her vocal signal. Surely they heard the results, but never compensated on subsequent shows.

Boxless in ATL

I ordered within an hour or two of receiving the email announcement but, yet, I also do not have a box in ATL. Not even an email saying that there is Help On The Way (in the form of a 30-year box set).But, a friend in MI got his yesterday. Guess they're busy stuffing miracles in mine......

Donna and the Scene

I hate to go all geezer on the forum, but back in the day Donna was referred to in the most reverent and respectful tone from the MA,NJ and NY heads I was around. It seemed to me Donna's presence on stage and status in the band humanized what appeared to be a bunch of drug addled crazies. With Donna came a whole bunch of hippie chicks, something I didn't hear allot of complaints about. In some ways I think the family thing started with Donna showing up on the scene. I have the greatest respect for her, putting up with inadequate vocal monitor systems of the day, and the grinding touring machine of the Grateful Dead. I assure you Donna has never "ruined" one second of music for me, and absolutely never will. The Grateful Dead has accepted me as I am, I do the same for them.

I like the Donna years. I

I like the Donna years. I have no problem with her.Think she was great in the JGB.

Donna and replacement disc

I have to admit that my favorite period of the whole long strange trip were the years that Keith and Donna were with the group, especially before the two year hiatus mid-decade. Was she the right fit for the group? Not really. Was she a great singer? No, but she did have the ability to sing, given the right songs. Anyone who recorded with Elvis at least has to be able to carry a note or two. Did she hit every song pitch perfect every night? No, but, hey, Bobby still has issues remembering the words to "Truckin' ". I'm just grateful (no pun intended.....well, maybe) for the contributions she made to the band over their 50+ years of making the best damn music anywhere. I look at the band's music, and I see a wine cellar of vintage products. Some age better than others, some are a little drier, some a little sweeter. Everyone has different tastes, and I can respect that. One of the guiding lights of being a Deadhead is respect for each other, even if we have different concepts and opinions. One another note, I got a duplicate disc 1 on my '78 Providence set. I just got an email from Dr. Rhino that a replacement was being sent today. Gotta love the Dead......

My 2¢

So now that I've joined this forum, guess I'll make some posts.Question: Why is Charlie Miller better than David Lemieux? Answer: Because he understands the concept of a seamless transition between discs. Seriously David, these aren't cassette tapes. Not trying to piss anyone off, just trying to get David to stop doing overlap transitions. It just sounds better.

appreciation...

Donna totally rocked it in Egypt, and was in beautiful song. I love the Keith and Donna years!

Donna

Donna brought the family vibe, listen to pretty much any Mississippi Half Step. I really enjoy most of her vocals. There have been a couple times where I thought her volume was too much, but other than that I don't have any complaints I can think of at the moment.

Donna, Cher

Not sure what happened to my attempted post earlier, but to g1u2i3 & lowspark ~ give 9/18/74 a spin from the new box. Donna's spot-on all night, both in pitch and in knowing where she is in the mix (raucously in key on BIODTL, nice and soft on Ship of Fools), and spaces out just right on Scarlet. ivhs72, thanks for the historical perspective on her aesthetic. In any event, she was indispensable (like it or not) once Phil stopped singing high harmony. As someone said, she was really nice on Cassidy & Looks Like Rain in the later 70s, and generally nailed the Let It Grow choruses with Bob. "Lights Went Out In Georgia" was offered to Cher first?? That would totally have been another "Gypsies Tramps & Thieves" for her, I can hear it in my mind's ear....

Donna

I get it man.. I don't expect my distaste for some of her contributions to be popular on a forum of people who are here because of their enthusiasm for everything Grateful Dead. It's just my personal taste and what sounds good to my ears. There are probably elements/phases/eras for nearly every band or artist I love which I don't care for. Religious Dylan? No thanks. Recent Neil Young? No thanks. Rolling Stones Undercover and Dirty Work? Don't love it. There are classic Van Morrison albums I don't care for... and I freaking LOVE Van the Man. And on and on. But other people might be enthusiastic enough about any of those artists to think everything they put out or did was golden. And that's fine. It's also fine to not like some of Donna's vocals... or to love ALL of Donna's vocals. That's what forums are about.. expressing your thoughts and opinions. Just so you aren't attacking someone personally for their views.

Side Notes

Coincidentally... I actually AM listening to the first disc of the '74 show right now before I get ready for work. Funny. Also, I do want to reiterate that there are some of those examples I agree with. Sometimes Donna sounds just fine or even enhances a song. BUT.. I absolutely do not enjoy her singing on Playing In The Band or Scarlet Begonias.. And I'm entitled to that.

RE: My 2¢

It would be a wonderful thing if the CDs from Rhino came seamless, hopefully they will go the seamless route in the future.Until then we have to fix our own backups by deleting the overlap. CM was also slow to come around the seamless transition until about 2007 when someone started "fixing" his seeds as soon as he'd seed them, by making them seamless and CM's name got bumped from the new SHNID by Tetzelli, who made 2nd sets seamless but messed up the mastering in doing so.

the list grows

I have been listening to a lot of shows but it is still overwhelming. These shows are rising to the top of my list: 1991 - 9/10, Madison Square Garden, NY, NY - Branford. Nuff Said. 1972 - 9/24, Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT - great all-around show 1979 - 10/27, Cape Cod Coliseum, South Yarmouth, MA - Impeccable show 1967 - 11/10, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA - even hotter than '66 1966 - 7/3, Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA - still cant get over how hot this show is 1982 - 7/31, Manor Downs, Austin, TX - if the hiss wasn't there this would be incredible what do your lists look like?

I apologize

I apologize to lowspark75. I'm in a foul mood, and could have stated my thoughts better. I did the same thing at work today also, I am so gol-darn grouchy as I age. I need to follow my own advice, and respect my fellow travelers. Again, I apologize for my remarks.

It's totally fine, Zooks

I wasn't getting flustered. I just wanted to make sure I was understood. And I listed only examples of things I DON'T like by certain artists. Other examples where I am actually on the supportive side would include.. Pink Floyd: There are many who think they were crap after Roger Waters left. I strongly disagree and enjoy the albums released in his absence. The Beatles: Many consider John Lennon the most important Beatle and view McCartney as a dick. I also strongly disagree there. I consider both Lennon and McCartney's contributions equally important and enjoyable and they both had their egos.. then you'll also get the George Harrison supporters. It's great that the Dead had a long and varied enough career to nurture these differing opinions of the different elements that came and went with their music and performances. Can't really say the same for... The Doors.. for example. Unfortunately.

lowspark

You're not entitled. If you don't agree with the majority, you're WRONG, man! Honestly, I thought I was in the minority enjoying Donna. And she really has grown on me in recent years ~ during my show-going years, I really didn't want to know.... As for recent Neil.... Dude. If the current Promise of the Real tour hasn't hit your town yet; will hit your town yet; you haven't bought tickets; and you still can.... GO. This tour is one of the great ones...however you feel about Monsanto Years (I think it rocks, but no matter). Didn't see Neil in the 70's, but this was the 9th time since mid-80s(including four times with Crazy Horse)...and I didn't remotely expect to be saying this: this was the most powerful Neil performance I've ever seen. Tremendous setlist, but that alone doesn't tell the tale. He out-Welded Weld with the finale, Love and Only Love, blowing past mere extended feedback outros into much more dynamic Dead & Floyd territory (he even did a little Crazy Diamond riff at one point). Jaw-dropping, especially from a 70-year-old! Ok, gush over. Back to the GO'GD.

Still going in order, on '74

Starting to get more tempting to pull stuff I was really looking forward to (MSG 87 and 91, Cape Cod) or to start pulling discs with the same songs on them from different years to do comparisons. Still, I think the '67 Shrine and '69 Dream Bowl are still my favorites so far. '72 also really good and so is '68, I wish there was more than 1 disc! Hot = '66, '74. Smokin' = '70, '73. Incendiary = '67, '69, '72, '68. Hard to call '73 and '74 incendiary, just a bit more laid back and swing to them, for most of the tunes, in any case. Still nice. Wish that '74 didn't have the two songs with the vocal drops, was psyched for Loose Lucy. :( Edit: I get where people are coming from on Donna, but you just have to embrace it. It's not like Jerry or Phil haven't had some vocal issues. Lot's of sweet stuff from her: Weather Report, Sunrise, St. Stephen, Cosmic Charlie, Passenger, Dancin', Looks Like Rain, etc. And no one can ruin Scarlet Begonias when the Dead are playing it. ;) EMBRACE THE DONNA! Screams and all.

Edit : Donna is sweet, top notch

and I would take her over any one of you guys :) Lol 5.4.77 - "Looks Like Rain" !! the Dave's Picks 15 is primo Donna and is sweet on Jack Straw among the many.

Lowspark support

Yes I do agree, especially about playing ITB...and a lot of Scarlet begonias, especially in DP7 is quite a nightmare. However Donna adds nice harmonies on slow songs (row jimmy-Cassidy-Looks Like Rain...)I enjoy very much Sunrise on DP3 and the may77 Boxset. Fortunately she improves a lot after Hiatus and her best contribution stay with the JGband (77-78)

Did Mr. Norman get some new AUDIO EQUIPMENT......

I am up to 1975 and I am amazed at the "CRISPY " beautiful "MELTING BUTTER" sound of these shows so far. I started in at 1966 and each show is just so Exquisite. Between my Sennheiser headphones and plain Jane HONDA FACTORY radio I just keep getting blown away by how great these shows are sounding. There is definitely a difference I am hearing than any other past recordings...anyone else feeling that???... Or hearing that??

Florida Delivery

Sorry to hear so many in the south are still box less...I live in the Orlando, FL area and received mine on October 12th...keep the faith brothers...

Re: K. Brandon & J. Norman

I have been very pleased w/ his work lately.. but I am not up to the '80's shows yet. If I were to wager.. I think he is staring to become a deadhead. I have this image of his progression: .. when he first started engineering and mastering GD, Steely Dan was in the car CD Player and he was the geek in the sound booth wearing the kaki's and polo shirt, glasses and a pocket protector. The pocket protector was the first to go moments after his first Playin' in the Band. Years go by.. he drops the loafers for comfy shoes, unbuttons the polo. A little facial scruff fills in. By E-72 he show's up in a t-shirt, shorts and Birkenstocks and he sometimes spends days in the studio without a break. By Spring '90 TOO he's let his hair grow out, he's sporting a raggedy die often for several days at a stretch. By the time he began mixing Boxzilla a never ending drum circle has formed outside the studio. And his mixes do seem to have a special sound. Its possible I have a couple details wrong.. but it sounds plausible, doesn't it? Go back and listen to Dicks Picks 3 and compare it to one of the modern releases from the same year (Spring '77 comes to mind). I think he has improved also. Lets see if I still feel this way after '82.

Playing in the Band

A huge Thanks to drshakedown74...We swapped the tickets/passes from 30 Trips and he returned the favor in an incredibly generous way- A concert ticket to see David Gilmour at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre in April. Amazing kind gesture on his part- hope this kindness finds a way back to him. Thanks again.

Donna

Love her. When she would slowly and rhythmically groove her way to the microphone, smilingly looking down at us, the Grateful Dead idiot fan base, and prepare herself to wail the return of the Playin In The Band theme, well, well, it was really good. Seriously good.

Re: Dr. Shakedown

My ticket was Magoo's Pizza Parlor, backstage pass Gaza Egypt. Wanna trade and got anything near ZuckFun? Just kidding.. wow.. I'm not particularly religious, but that's a miracle worthy of canonization. Saint Shake. Has a nice ring to it. Holy cow, congrats Zuck, thanks Dr. Shake. Those are hot tickets, Gilmour puts on an incredible show, and this will surely be his last trip to the states.

Donna support

I hear both sides of the Donna thing. She could lighten things sweetly, or come in too hard. I agree with Jason, these guys were weak vocally, and blew things in front of us on a regular basis. Their messin up was one of their fun qualities. I cut her some slack like I did for everyone else in the band. And I must speak up for her presence in the band. I enjoyed how she added a feminine element to the stage, so it wasn't just the guys. I do think she really could do sweet harmony with Bobby, and she could rock it with him, too in their Sunshine Daydream duets. I started with 1975, kinda loose show with some nice jammin. Next up was 1982, this is a grate show, I wish it wasn't so muddy and thin, the sound improves in CD3. Come on, UJB>Truckin'>Dew? Now I'm starting from the beginning, listening to 1965. First impression: man Billy was quite the drummer early on... Thanks to all for your great comments!

On vocals, MIIIIIZ Donna Jean Godchaux

I love Donna, but I understand your point, Lowspark. When I first started listening to tapes (mostly 80s shows) I didn't like her much at all but eventually, after the light came on and I "got" 70s GD, I came to accept her. At first it was a case of classical conditioning; the years that excited me most included Donna so I got used to her. Eventually I came to LOVE Donna and even now when I listen to the post Godchaux era, I really miss her contributions on most songs she sang. MNS, Half Step (acrosssss the Rio GrandiOOOH!), LIG, Estimated, Scarlet, Cassidy...well, pretty much all of them. Maybe someday you'll change your mind, Lowspark. But if not you're certainly entitled to your opinion. And I would highly recommend DiP14--she was on maternity leave.

Re: Donna Jean

I always liked Donna, but I also know how an off key screech when I hear one. Still I chose to notice her good harmonies and touch. I used to find myself defending her to friends who were skeptical. I don't anymore, I think people have already made up their minds.. minds can change but that's not my place. She was an integral part of the band during what many call their golden era. There's something to be said for that. Worthy is a good word. Yea.. she flubbed up many a good song, but who didn't in this band. Funny how as fans we are both infinitely forgiving yet relentlessly critical. Not the best example of yin and yang. I bet jerry flubbed up more shows than she did. We forgave him.

Cal Expo '86....

....I played it back to back....yeah, I said it.... ....regarding Donna, I prefer the 76-79 version over the 72-75 version hands down. Both in voice, and in appearance. I believe the JGB experience benefited her grately....Disco Donna was quite the stunner.... ...MIIIIIZ Donna Jean Godchaux. Shout out to Grahams band intro before the Great American Music Hall show. Yeah rdevil, I caught that....

Donna . . . again

lowspark75, right on with so many of your comments. I share many of your perspectives. And I'm assuming your username is a reference to Traffic's "Low Spark of High-heeled Boys"? Great band. One of my favorites. My problem is that I have too many favorites. Anyway, I just signed on and caught up on all the "Donna" comments after I posted this afternoon. I had to respond before I hit the sack, and fly to Tulsa, OK for business, in the morning. It's good to read so many different perspectives on how people see Donna. Especially, the people that experienced the 70's Dead in real time. Something I did not. Even though my favorite studio album is "Aoxomoxoa", followed by "Anthem of The Sun", the Keith and Donna period is, ironically, my favorite GD period. That period is also my favorite band "lineup". To clarify, there are shows I actually enjoy and appreciate what she adds to the music. I'm not saying she wasn't capable of it, she just didn't manifest it often enough for me, a lover of great music and musicianship. I totally appreciate and actually agree with the "girl in the band", "family" and "humanizing" perspective and the hippie chicks comments. I dig that, totally. And God knows I've loved me a hippie chick or two, three, four . . . oh . . . excuse me . . . where was I. Oh, right!. Accepting the Dead as they are (were), like Deacon Zooks said, is totally understandable as a fan and lover of this band. I love this band. It's that very sentiment that allows me to still enjoy Jerry when he sings off key. For a moment, though, hitting the pause button on . . . peace and love . . . and hugs and kisses. I am speaking purely objectively and strictly on a musical level. Many of the praises for Donna were non-musical comments. Musically, though, I'm sorry folks, Donna does not possess, in equal measures, what any of the other members did. Not anywhere near the rest of the band. Not even in the same stratosphere. If you think otherwise, I have to wonder how you measure high level musicianship. Jerry, Bobby, Bill, Phil, Mickey . . . all absolute geniuses in their respective instruments. Truly unique players. Donna? There is no way, anyone here, in all seriousness, can extend that to her. However, I will continue to accept Donna in the band, because she was. My comment about removing her from GD history, vocally, was probably a little strong. You know, I love what she did on the Terrapin Station album. And couldn't imagine that album without her. Though, I f*cking hate the studio version of "Dancing in The Streets" and have skipped it every single time I've listened to it since the first time I heard it 35 years ago. Not her fault. Terrible disco infected arrangement. "Dancin' . . . Dancin' . . . Dancin' in the streets." Anyway, let peace and love . . . and hugs and kisses, resume. Good night, all! :-)

Donna again

Sometimes I support Donna but most of the time I do not support it. For me it is not a singer, she does not have the qualities. She screams, she bellowed, she did not know to puts her voice. She was part of the group remains a mystery to me too. But, unlike low spark 75, I appreciate the singing of Donna on Scarlet, including the fabulous version of the May 8, 1977. She did give a little extra color to the music during the 70s, and I got used. I know that the Dead were fully accepted it or you do not accept.

re: Donna - St Stephen - post Hiatus

I hear everyone's comments on the wail during PITB, could be cringeworthy at times. But what she brought to St Stephen when they brought it back was beautiful.

Home from Work

@antonjo - I think Neil came and went through Portland before I even knew it was happening. I saw his own posts on Facebook saying "Thanks Portland". I didn't even know he was coming. @zuckfun - David Gilmour?!? That's awesome!!!! Totally jealous. I still need to get ahold of his new album. I listened to the rest of '74 and all of '75 at work tonight. The '74 Loose Lucy did sound super funky and cool. It is too bad about the vocal glitch. '75 was fairly impressive. I don't know why, but I didn't expect much from this show. The Big River was smoking' and It Must Have Been The Roses was possibly my favorite version I've heard so far. With the exception of 1977, I intend to only have one show per year on my phone. It only has so much room. After I get through the '70s Trips, I am going to have to decide which shows make the cut. Like a lot of people are saying, I think DaP13 might end up being my '74 show. Hard to say.. but I don't think the '74 Trip is going to win that one. But for me, the only choices are DaP9, DaP13, DP12, or the 30 Trips selection. Those are the only '74 shows I own. I'll have to give the latter another spin before deciding... but many of you probably know what the obvious choice will be. '72 will probably be a tough call as well... since I don't have ANY of the E72 shows.. *GASP* I need to pick up one and get started on my ala cart E72 collecting. Which one should be first? The first one? Sorry... still high from all of the caffein required to get through 3rd shift behind the wheel.... lots of random info above.

Re: LowSpark - '72

No E-72. Another Travesty! I think the best way to get through E-72 is, surprise, sequentially. Dr. Keithfan will have lots to say on what, where, how, what shows, mood stimulus, etc. Trust him.. he is a doctor. That being said.. if you don't want to put the scratch into getting the whole set at once and you want to cherry pick shows.. I have one suggestion. Don't just dive into 4/8 first, savor that one for a couple to a half dozen shows. Certainly buy it, but don't just dive right in, especially if you have a heart condition. Its a gem. I will say one more thing. Don't be surprised if this tour ultimately gets you, I have seen several try and piecemeal their way through the tour only to ultimately bite the bullet and get every show. Its cheaper to just get them all, and yes.. we are an excessive bunch of OCD freaks. I think Dr. Keithfan has an accounting on how much it costs both piecemeal and as a whole package. You save more than you think..

Donna? Seriously...

Is Donna wailing really worse than Bob's screaming on Estimated, or his out of tune slide playing?I don't think so...

Neil...Donna

I first saw Neil when I was 14 at MSG for the Trans tour. He was solo and blew me away. Last saw him at Carnegie Hall also solo, amazing. His all out rock shows with the Horse & others are really special. After reading these posts I feel bad I passed on his recent east coast summer visit. Donna works for me. Even the wails are fine. And yes I much rather take that then Bob's slide playing circa 78. Sounds like an amateur player on those shows. The other thing Dead related that sometimes bothers me is the overuse of Midi and those plinky Brent processed keyboard sounds. But warts & all I can live with most any Dead. I guess 68-77 Dead is about as perfect as it gets for me

Donna

I'm a fan of Donna, PITB re-entry notwithstanding. In fact, it still leaves a foul taste in my mouth that she was not included in some way for the Fare Thee Well performances. She was at Jerry's 70th TRI celebration, why not Fare Thee Well?

Re: Segan63

yea I get what you are saying.. I'm still a little miffed I lost the Bolo guess the special guests at Fare Thee Well original artwork giveaway.. I had Donna as a shoe in for a special guest, along with Grisman, David Nelson and I forget who else. I was sure I won that one. Donna is an interesting topic. I will say this, when I play GD to a general crowd (not on the bus people), if its in the '70's, Donna's screeches get the raised eyebrow, if its in the 80's its Jerry's cameled, scratchy voice that gets the raised eyebrow. To me, the bad slide guitar is what gets me to hit skip. Go figure. Since I just slammed Bobby, I will follow w/ a compliment. My favorite Bob work is his early to mid 70's contributions where he plays his wide body Gibsons, notably his ES 335 and SG. He got such a wonderful tone back then and it took me years to figure out how integral it was to their sound in those days. He wrote his best songs in that period to, in my humble opinion. Not a fan of the amateur slide guitar hour though, hope that's fair.

Gary Farseer Congats....

no problem , i sometimes have troubles to decide what`s real and what´s not.For example i never have been to a Dead-show as i live in Austrai , started my " Dead-habit " at the age of 12 back in 81 and unfortunately had no chance to catch them on stage in the early nineties in Germany or France. Nowadays it would be easy but yep.... i close my eyes while listening to the 74 show which indeed has a very european touch an i am there , i do relive that gig.......

Donna.....

is important for the mellow flow oft the 70ies , there is a female quality that was lost afterwards though it was not easy for here to sing with the boys - some voices harmonice and some do not , i know this quite well as i play and sing myself.

Vocals

I find most people I play Lovelight around start being not down when Bob does the falsetto "shine on me" hahaha much more than the PITB screams.

I Think It's Time...

...to let the Donna Debate go. Obviously we all have some opinion about what she brought to, or took away from, the shows, but the fact of the matter is, for better or worse, she was there and will always be there. She had her great moments and her not-so-great moments, just like, as several have observed, the rest of the boys. (Personally, Bobby's screaming on LLR and Lovelight is on par with Donna's PITB). All in all, her good notes outweigh her not-so-good notes. No doubt there are more interesting debates to be had about topics that the box compiler(s) had arguable control over...such as the omission of shows with certain tunes (Easy Wind, Cosmic Charlie, West LA Fadeway...) versus the inclusion of shows with numerous repeats (Hell in a Bucket, TOO, NFA...).

Donna

is great.

scream dream

Sorry, bros 'n sisters, but being an 80's kid, I LOVE the Bobby screams on Estimated, Lovelight, Sailor/Saint, etc, etc. Listen to Estimated from Hampton 3-20-86 ~ that scream-scatting is a work of art. (His screaming on It's All Over Now in the first set, less so, I'll concede ; ) I was thrilled 2nd night Santa Clara when he screamed the big "HEY"s on the Sugar Mag finale till he had nothing left. Would've loved a Donna appearance there. reijo29, I remember that Trans tour, but couldn't convince my older brother to get us tickets -- so I had to wait till '86, with Crazy Horse. (They did play Sample & Hold that time, though.) lowspark, I spaced that you're in Portland. So am I. Maybe we should organize a listening party for one of these trips around the sun. And, yes, Neil did kind of sneak into town. Once in awhile, those otherwise annoying Ticketmaster e-mails land me a hot tip.

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