30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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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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June 16, 2015 - 2:28pm

#6631

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

Speaking of Decline

Yeah Palmer, you bring up a good point. What happened to Bob Weir's guitar sound in the late 70s? I want to call it choppy flamenco, but I don't know why I want to call it that. It's something in the tone of his guitar that changed a whole bunch. I may be morphing into pre-hiatus guy....I've always maintained that they were better with just Billy on drums, and that almost anything they played on the Europe '72 tour sounded better in '72 than it did after the hiatus (Bertha, Cold Rain, New Minglewood ((Ladies & Gentlemen - wow)), Ramble On, Sugar Magnolia, Promised Land, Deal, the list goes on. But there was so much good stuff I like in 77/78 - Scarlet Fire, Music Never Stopped, Estimated Eyes, Help-Slipknot-Franklin, The Wheel, Samson, the list goes on.
June 16, 2015 - 2:27pm

#6632

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

DearJerry

For the Shakedown Sessions, I don't think it was that he wasn't welcome to the studio, its that there were days that he didn't even show up, especially towards the end. Jerry, in particular, was pissed and asked John Kahn to finish. He even has keyboard credits on the album. Wouldn't that qualify to some of the comments at least? I also think Keith's playing is brilliant for most of his career with the Dead, and I often spend large amounts of time listening to the Keith Years. I also think band members opinions count. So there's a lot to this, but most importantly I don't recall any significant volume of people bashing Keith's playing on this thread. ..and if there are some comments you might not like, they are almost always in response to someone stirring the pot with Brent bashing, which certainly offends people. I was just highlighting that for a host of reasons Feb '17th was their last show, so lets be thankful for what we have instead of dwelling on what we cannot impact. It is what it is. That's all, nothing personal.
June 16, 2015 - 2:26pm

#6633

Cousins Of The…

Joined:
September 10, 2009

Mo' Keith

Just finished listening Row Jimmy from 3/20/77. Keith sounds great backing up Jerry's fine, lyrical solo, but is clobbered by every hit of Mickey's bass drum. I think this was mentioned a few weeks ago; very apparent to me on this track. To my ears, it sounds like there was a change in the mix from 76 to 77; more emphasis on the drums(esp. bass drum), and a less "crispy" bass, making the overall sound a little muddier than it was.
June 16, 2015 - 2:25pm

#6634

PalmerEldritch

Joined:
July 25, 2011

I love the keyboard/era debates!

I don't agree that "old" topics, such as era- and keyboard debates should be retired. This day's posts has been the most interesting here to me in weeks: from floridabobs culture reflections all through the Keith decline discussion. Almost anything that generates a flurry of thoughtful posts seems cool to me as long as it's civil. As a lifelong Deadhead, I think the era/keyboard debate is perfectly relevant and (for me) endlessly fascinating (well, nearly endlessly). I'm extemely conflicted and ambivalent about most of the Dead's post-hiatus music and have been that way for >35 years. Where else can we talk about these things? If we only stuck to the forum topic, we all know these threads dry up quickly and become boring as all hell. My guess is that,era/keyboard discussions generate the most interest here, despite complaints about "old, well worn" topics. Anyone really bored can just scroll though topics that don't interest them. I did draft a long post to contribute to the Keith decline discussion but lost the draft. Basically, I agree with LoveJerry. Keith sounds fine to me in the late 70's but as someone pointed out, he seems very low in the mix. Yes, there is a huge difference in Keith's playing E72 and May 77; but the same could be said for Phil and Bobby's playing. How could anyone not notice a similar decline in their playing? Listen to any of Bob and Phil's playing from the late 70's compared to, say Fillmore 2/69, E72, or WInterland 73. Night and day.
June 16, 2015 - 2:11pm

#6635

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

hahahaha What?? He stole Jerry's stash??

No wonder he wasn't welcome (and no wonder he couldn't finish the Shakedown Street session). Hey hey, Jerrylover, don't drag my name in the mud lol. I only said he was a fair pilot. No but really Keith Moon was like the tazmanian devil with drumsticks. If anyone has heard his live stuff from Tommy and Live at leads, in that '69 - '70 zone, you know what I'm talking about. I can understand why Clapton or Baker (I forget which one) would have given that snide expression when asked about Moon's talent compared to Baker, because Ginger was great, a time keeper, an arranger, and so much more than a drummer when it came to making music, but Moon was off the rails excellent, and completely untouchable from '68 - '73. But if you compiled the best live 2 hours of Moon with the best live 2 hours of Baker, Moon is a step or two ahead. What Baker brought to music composition, Moon brought to live performance.
June 16, 2015 - 1:55pm

#6636

LoveJerry

Joined:
March 19, 2015

Jim In MD

I am asking "us" because "us" are the folks who frequently say Keith's playing declined without a lick of evidence to substantiate that assertion. Forget what you've read on Wikipedia or wherever, since it's not exactly a well documented topic, and listen to the music - where is it? Did Phil really say that? If he said it, is it true? In a court of law it's nothing more than hearsay. Give me a song or just recognize that every time someone comments that his playing declined is probably going off the Wiki quote or the comment from Blair Jackson's book (thanks for sharing, never saw it before), but a couple of off-handed subjective remarks do not make it true, and they don't hold up to scrutiny, which is my main point. People are regurgitating hearsay that does not hold up to scrutiny - no wonder politicians lie so much - it's so easy to pass lies off as truth to the masses. It's actually kind of scary. It would be interesting to scan this site for the past several months to see how often this unsubstantiated rubbish was repeated. I kind of feel bad for Donna. And the reason I didn't bring up anything like drug use or marital problems is because it has nothing to do with my argument, which is simply that his playing did not suffer on the stage, and I have the tapes to prove it :-) Or maybe I don't - I am willing to admit I was wrong or uninformed, which is why I posted in the first place - to find out if anyone can point to a performance where his playing was off. Keithfan mentioned Keith Moon - at least when his playing was said to have declined before his death, you can hear it in recordings (Kilburn 1977, Who Are You). That I believe, because it's well documented and easy to hear.
June 16, 2015 - 1:39pm

#6637

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

You Know a Rumble Ain't a Rumble Without Me

Of course I agree with LoveJerry - not because I'm a Keith fan, but because it's true - there is really very little primary source evidence that Keith's playing deteriorated. Wikipedia? Even if Phil said it, ex-bandmates deride each other all of the time, it's the single most predictable type of slander they throw at one another. I'm sure he nodded off at the wheel a few times, but that's hardly a deterioration in skills. Not that it's a good thing. But I get LoveJerry's sentiment, which I might also add was not an argument about the reasons he left the band so much as a defense of his playing. So while yeah, some folks have pointed out that there was drug use and whatever, the main point is that folks comment about Keith's deterioration of skill on here all the time, presumably because they read a Wiki quote or Blair Jackson comment - yet the evidence, the music betrays the notion that there was anything substandard in his playing. If I'm reading her post accurately she's just asking someone to point out which songs/shows/period demonstrates this decreased ability to play, and indignant (correct me if I'm wrong JerryLover) that when the topic of his departure comes up, everyone always says he couldn't play, he couldn't play, he couldn't play. I have, myself tried to substantiate that claim that he could no longer play, but just can't find it. The proof should be in the pudding, but it's not. Long live Keith. Both of them - Keith Moon drummed circles around Ginger - he just colored out of the lines a lot.
June 16, 2015 - 1:12pm

#6638

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Re: DearJerry/Keith

Why ask us? We didn't kick him out of the band. There's a few factors you are not bringing up besides his playing. I don't think any of us question he was a brilliant piano player loaded with talent. But.. First there was his escalating drug use. By late '78 Keith had a heroin addiction (and for that matter so did Jerry). Towards the end of Shakedown Street, Keith couldn't even be found to finish the keyboard tracks on some of the unfinished songs, so John Kahn of all people filled in and did them. In Rock Skully's book, Rock states Keith was rumored to have stolen Jerry's stash once, which really pissed off Jerry. Shortly after that, Keith wasn't part of the JGB. Can't ask any of them if its true because they've all passed by now.. but I don't think there's much doubt about their drug use and drug of choice in these years. There was also the relationship trauma. There were regular fireworks between Keith and Donna on a regular basis. Violent fights, trashed hotels, smash up derby's in the parking lots, ...drama.. tension.. yuk. And then there was his playing. I think his playing had diminished or at the very least was not consistent by late '78, early '79 and, well, the sad truth is.. you can't get rid of Jerry and I'm not sure if having two junkies in the band was something they wanted or could continue with. Keith and Donna wanted to leave too. I think she left a few shows early in one of the last tours because she couldn't take it either. Remember, they were trying to raise small kids at the time. So its well documented that the parting was mutual. I'm not sure what is to be accomplished by going down that rabbit hole. They left and they got a new piano player. We weren't there, but I imagine if we were and if we were privy to all the facts and details.. well, my guess is one way or another, that darkness had to give. One Edit: I read cousins reply (which was classic). Yes, amateur slide guitar hour. aaaack! Love ya Bobby... but on this one, I agree with my cousin. He supposedly started playing more slide to get the sounds he (they) wanted they keys. ..and yes, Donna in particular was drinking a lot, but Keith was chasing the dragon.
June 16, 2015 - 1:02pm

#6639

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Re: Brokedown

I agree with your post. I think most people's minds on this are 'set like concrete'. The back and forth is usually non-productive, and I can't say I learn a ton from it.. especially when the posts come with barbs or put down another's tastes or preferences. I actually don't see the debate, I like the Keith years.. but spring '79 was their last hurrah, and enter the '80's and they got a new keyboard player. It is what it is. I am thankful someone pressed "record" on the tape deck, sit back and enjoy (or press skip if there's out there that doesn't tickle your pleasure bone).
June 16, 2015 - 12:54pm

#6640

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Check out JGB live shows from 1978

Some great stops along the way from Keith in 1978. And another vote for Red Rocks July 7-8, 1978. Tennesse Jed ; Passenger ; Peggy-O ; The Music Never Stopped Killer four piece combo to end first night 1st set

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

@stars1074 30 Trips sticker

Hey friend, if you have not secured a 30 trips sticker, PM your addy, and I will send you mine.

Last Night's Listening

I played '76 and '78, as I said I would, at work last night/this morning. There may have been a song or two I liked from '76, but '78 was the standout of the two. I was REALLY impressed with the 'Let It Grow' and 'Samson And Delilah'. Jerry was... I really need new phrases for this. He was on fire, but I always say that. He was harnessing lightning on those songs. And both Bobby and Donna were going for broke on S & D. That Providence show is my favorite '78 show so far. I mean, I've only heard DaP15, DP25 and The Closing Of Winterland besides this one.. but of the 4, this one's my pick.

@lowspark75

My man, you MUST check out DP 18! Disc 2 may be my favorite single disc in the entire DP series.

Dane County

Gotcha.. and that one HAS been on my purchase list. Just got bumped down when I decided I needed to focus on DaPs.

DP 18

To my ears (and mind), DP 18 combines the best of '78 with a 73-74 feel. It brings the space to the fire and fury of '78.

Re: Post Hiatus Let It Grows

I've been onto '78 Let it Grows since spring. Some are on fire. Haven't gotten to '76 or '78 yet in the box.. but yea, there's some guitar wizardry in some of these versions. Gunpowder meets gasoline. Don't get me wrong, I love the full Weather Report Suites.. but give the post hiatus versions a chance and they really seem to get their legs late '77 and into '78. Then there are the early '80's versions. Dicks 13 is a good example, but there are quite a few better ones.

Post-hiatus LIG

Agreed, Jim. As much as I love the WRS-LIG full sequence, especially this time of year, many of the post-hiatus LIG's are so focused and intense. There are many to choose from, but the version from "Crimson, White, and Indigo" immediately comes to mind, but that could be because I had "a moment" with that one.

Full WRS

That's actually my one, small disappointment with the '73 and '74 shows they chose... Not a WRS to be found in either one. I love a full version. But yeah, the shortened versions from later years could be very satisfying too.

Crimson White and Gunpowder Guitar Licks

Funny you mention Crimson White and Indigo. The last few times I have watched/listened to that.. its the first set that got all the attention, specifically the Memphis Blues, Let it Grow and Blow Away. I got into it this summer a couple times. Good stuff, thanks for reminding me. ..had a 'moment' can only be a good thing I am guessing.

C, W, and I LIG

Definitely a good moment. Before moving to Virginia, I worked in Indianapolis for a year. When I began working there, I commuted from Louisville every Monday for the week. I would get up and leave before sunrise every Monday morning. It was Fall, and the mornings were crisp. If you are familiar with I-65 between Louisville and Indianapolis, it is a flat stretch of mostly corn fields and treelines. In Fall, the trees are the color of fire and the fields are gold, often with fog on them in the early hours. I was driving north one morning, listening to the first set from C, W, and I, and daylight was approaching. As the boys hit the first "Let it grow! Let it grow! Wide and clear...", the sun bursts over the horizon and shone on a treeline of oaks and maples in peak color change. It was like the Earth was on fire, but in a good way. It was spectacular!

Agree All Around - DP 18 is The Bomb

...I have to agree, I can still picture where I was when I heard DP 18 for the first time....my teeny tiny studio apartment in Adams Morgan/Washington DC laying on my bed....my jaw slacked and dropped when that Music Never Stopped came on, and the two-part jam at the end was like the energizer bunny...it kept going and going and going...to a relentless crescendo. And yeah, Disc 2 - amazing. The Eyes of the World is perhaps one of the best ever played, it is absolutely ferocious.

Let it Gow - 76 - 79 - 82

Road trips Fall 77 and Daves Picks 12 (LIG=skull-splitter nominee) has some primo performances of "Let it Grow" a few more - **9.28.76 = Dicks Picks 20 Let it Grow -> GDTRFB **9.2.79 = first LIG of Brent era Terrapin Station -> Let it Grow -> Jam -> Drums 7.28.82 = Red Rocks - not the best LIG, but sweet transtions in the unique sequence, especially between He's Gone and Truckin' Let It Grow -> He's Gone -> Truckin' And now one of the ALL-TIME Contenders that includes the full WRS --------- 7.19.74 !!!!! 5 count em' 5 exclamation points PRELUDE-> WEATHER REPORT Part 1-> LET IT GROW-> SPANISH JAM-> EYES OF THE WORLD-> CHINA DOLL

Let It Grow

Am I alone in considering the Let It Grow appeared in Without A Net as an absoluty fabulous version, with a concise jam, inventive and burning ?

LIG / WRS Dial-a-Melt

The 11/4/77 (DaP 12) performance of Let It Grow is a notch above most. The jam is spectacular, very Santana-like. For a WRS that stands out, take a listen to the Beyond Description Bonus Disc (it's from one of the October '74 Winterland shows that they recorded for the Movie Soundtrack, but it's not the version that was released in the movie or CD). Bobby sings his ass off in Part 1 like no other version.

@Alain

You are certainly not alone. I love the "Without a Net' version. The LIG and Bird Song from Without a Net are my favorite tracks from that set. Both have those sweet Mickey/Brent interplays that were so trippingly intense during the Spring 90 tour.

Without A Net -- Top Notch Grateful Dead

Love everything about that release, good call Alain. I just scored 2 copies of Without A Net on vinyl !! Oh boy !! one sealed and the other in pretty good shape.. Unfortunately it was not for the price my friend found it for,, he found a sweet copy of Without A Net 3LP for $1.00 ! for a late 80's "LIG" 7.17.88 - is one of top quality

1990

no LIG here, but this show is hot !! 5.6.90 please consider for Official release. Thank You for your consideration Rhinos

Without a Net Vinyl

To compliment Analog Productions' recent audiophile vinyl release of Reckoning, they should release and audiophile Without a Net.

Meriwether's book

I finally got around to read the extra long "liner notes" / book / essay, or just plain "Shadow Boxing The Apocalypse: An Alternative History of the Grateful Dead" by Nicholas Meriwether.It's a very good read, it covers just over 30 years of the Grateful Dead if you include the "Prologue: New Year's Eve, 1963." Very well researched and authoritative from Meriwether's point of view. It reads year by year with the selected show included and other details that is just plain facinating. Most of everything he covers in this tale has been already known to Dead Heads for years in various points of view. If you haven't read this essay yet, by all means take the time to read it. I also have been reading most of the submitted stories from the Dead Heads. I read one story of someone who tripped on LSD of their first show and were clean and straight for all other following shows that this person saw. My own story is similar, but smoked a lot of some really potent marijuana before my first show, and every show after that I saw clean and sober. I only had to "put up" with the beautiful smells in the arenas that I saw the Grateful Dead in, namely The Spectrum in Philadelphia and Madison Square Garden in New York City and a few other places.

Worcester '83

Actually just listened to this yesterday unaware that this was the anniversary. Interesting show but definitely not worth occupying phone memory. Does have an Uncle John's Band, though. Overall not in same league as other 30 trips shows I've heard so far. 87 much better.

Worcester '83 - has been on the tip of Dave's tongue

for a while, so I think that is the one he wanted out there. I like April 83 shows 4.12.83 4.13.83 and to close out the tour is a barn burner 4.26.83 !!! And dang it !!! What about a soundboard for 6.24.83 ? Some extra hot playing in quite a few of those 1st set tunes Candyman -> Little Red Rooster Althea Hell In A Bucket Deal and killer second set !!! Check it out people 6.24.83 !!!!! Holy Cow

'74 and '75 and some stats

On my 2nd listen of '75 right now, and it's better than I thought. Sure, a little rough around the edges with some lyrics and new tunes, but the jams are sweet. I'm a bit biased and Help>Slip and Music Never Stopped are some of my favorite tunes, not to mention Franklin's Tower. '74 also grew on the second listening. In terms of stats, here are some notes on some of the rarities on 30 Trips. Here are the songs that had seen the fewest live releases on CD (not counting video/downloads) prior to 30 Trips, taken from the wonderful Grateful Dead Lyric and Song Finder site at http://www.whitegum.com/intro.htm: No previous releases: Tastebud, Cardboard Cowboy, Don't Need Love, La Bamba, Days Between, I Fought the Law, Salt Lake City, Samba in the Rain, I Just Want to Make Love To You. Once: Keep Rolling By, Don't Mess Up a Good Thing, Gangster of Love, You Don't Have to Ask, It's a Man's World, Tomorrow if Forever, Seastones, It Takes a Lot to Laugh It Takes a Train to Cry, Broken Arrow, Corrina, So Many Roads, Way to Go Home, That Would Be Something. Twice Cream Puff War, King Solomon's Marbles/Stronger than Dirt/Milin' the Turkey, My Brother Esau, Liberty, Visions of Johanna. Thrice: Ain't It Crazy (The Rub), On the Road Again, Hey Jude Finale, The Same Thing, Maggie's Farm, The Last Time, Wang Dang Doodle. Four times: He Was a Friend of Mine, In the Midnight Hour, Mountains of the Moon, The Race is On, Hey Pocky Way. Five: Nobody's Fault But Mine, C.C. Rider, Smokestack Lightning, I Will Take You Home, Blow Away, Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues. Also, FWIW, if you just count the discs, Box of Rain (161) doesn't make an appearance, and would have come in right behind Brokedown Palace as the most played tune not to appear in 30 Trips, save for the vinyl. Anyway, I think I'm go to play around with the first ten a bit before moving on to the middle third of the box. Enjoy them out of order and compare them, etc.

Let it Grow

I've always thought the 12/31/85 Let it Grow as one of the greatest ones ever done.

Broken Arrow

I did notice that was in one of the shows but keep forgetting to play it. I assume it's the Robbie Robertson Broken Arrow? I've only ever heard HIS version a few times, but really liked it. I'm really interested in hearing the Dead do it.

Bottle of Rain

Been listening to the 9/93 east coast run. I like the Dead version of Broken Arrow. Was this always a Phil song?

@lowspark75

It's good, but Phil handles vocals. Just thought I would mention since Phil's voice can be polarizing among Heads:)

Broken Arrow

Oh, and yes, this is Robbie Robertson's tune.

Yup, that's it

....Lowspark....it's the Robbie Robertson one. Funny thing is, the first time I heard this song in like, the early 90's, it was Rod Stewart doing it (no idea it was Robertson's). I recall first hearing Phil sing this one and was perplexed, wondering why he was singing a Rod Stewart song from the '90's?!?!?! Now it makes a little more sense...learn something new every day boys!

DP 18 (Sixtus/Matchewy/Lowspark75)

Serendipity...I listened to the 1st set on my walk to work this AM, only to arrive and find it a forum topic - how cool was that? Seeing as I consciously chose to listen to it, I completely agree with you all. But don't overlook that first set - it set the evening's tone IMO. And that version of It's All Over Now...is absolutely one of my faves. A harbinger of what was to come.

Broken Arrow

There's a pretty good version of this song on the live 1999 Phil and Friends CD, "Love Will See You Through." Yea, Phil brought this into the GD repertoire.. so there's a good bit of variation in his vocal delivery among performances. If you haven't checked it out before, that's a great CD. Jorma and Kimmock share the guitar duties and theres a couple Hot Tuna covers mixed in for good measure. ..and an exceptional version of Broken Arrow.

Alain....

Without a Net was for a long time my most fave album by the boys , was 92 when i bought it , that was before the time of CD and bootleg-CD for me. So i head Live/Dead , Without a Net and the Studio Albums to go with for a couple of years.....what a cool time it was to hear them jam with Branford first time.......

DP 18 1st set's

Has my personal favorite Brown Eyed Women as well. Great Dicks Pick.

Still waiting in ATL, cont.

Called customer service again today, was transferred to speak with a supervisor. Was again told that orders were being shipped out in the order of when they were placed and that all the boxsets should be shipped by the end of month. Now, either people in Georgia and Florida are the only ones being vocal about not receiving their box, or someone is not being truthful here. I'm curious if anybody living in other states or outside the southeast is still waiting.

Dreams...

Lovin' this box so far! I'm going chronologically. Dream Bowl is magical. Side note: there are three CDs or sets that stand out in my mind for the Summer of '92 and they are One From The Vault, Without A Net and Evening With The ABB. Nuthin' but the finest of quality. Peace. Oh yes and Phil you've been in my thoughts lately. Get well!

RE: Broken Arrow

I've always liked the 8/22/93 Autzen version. The entire show is pretty good, too. I lost my friends going in, and when we met up after the show, it turned out we were about three people away from each other the entire show and didn't know it.

1978

Havent got there yet in my box but......... I really, really like 78. Its always teetering on out of control. It moves up on my rank of years every year I'm alive. Sometimes I wonder if anything is in front. Just spectacular.

drshakedown

Yeah '78 has some gems. DaP 15 is a fantastic show. It's also cool to hear the later in the year shows with songs from Shakedown Street . The Closing of Winterland has some nice stuff on it - Stagger Lee, and I Need A Miracle are outstanding (is that Bobby playing slide on Stagger Lee? if so, it's one of the times it truly sounded good; but there are so many guests on that show, I'm not sure). There is also that wonderful return of Dark Star that goes into TOO. DP 18 of course is solid all the way through - love the Music Never Stopped, Estimated Eyes, Samson with extended intro jam, and the Playing -> Wheel. Some nice moments on the Egypt compilation - Iko, lone Fire on the Mountain (really like this), and Shakedown Street. Also have not gotten to the 30 Trips show from '78 yet...

a good '78 Let it Grow

From around the same time as Dick's Picks 18, Chi-town 1/31/78. Both the AUD and SBD are good listening. I'm personally careful with this one though, some of Jerry's licks have a certain earworm quality to them for me, much more so than other versions of this song.http://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1978/1/31-5/let-it-grow P.S. I've finally jumped into 30 trips. First show I went for was Cobo Hall '76. Highly impressed with it, though hard to get used to the edits between songs in the first set. No interminable pauses between songs. It's probably like this on the master, it's still a little weird to go from song to song in the first set without a break between songs where there would normally be one. Also, besides the well known China Cat tease out of Not Fade, I'm pretty sure I heard Bob play a few notes of it as well in the jam out of Good Lovin'. All in all, a very nice show with some x factor showing up from Scarlet Begonias on through to the end of the show. One of the things I like about '76 is that some shows exhibit a little taste of '74 (like Playing in the Band and also the Phil soloing into the Dancing in the Street reprise) and foreshadowing of '77 (heavy during Scarlet Begonias). I was also able to get a good chunk of listening in on 10-21-83. Cumberland Blues in the first set really stood out for me, as well as the drum solo and space leading into Truckin'. I stopped listening after Truckin' so I will have to recue the segment right about there when I'm ready to resume listening. The next show after that one will probably be Lindley Meadows.

Mags72 - they aren't telling

Mags72 - they aren't telling you the truth. I am also in GA and I ordered mine within minutes of getting the email announcing the box. I STILL do not have it. One of the supervisors told me last week that they haven't finished making them all yet. Not sure what to believe at this point. What a colossal screw up. No way in hell am I going to let them do this to me again - I'm going to cancel my order for the Fare The Well box and just get the best of set at Criminal Records. At least I'll get it when everyone else does. You wait - I'll bet we get Dave's Picks before we get the box.

I Feel Your Pain

No love over here in Cabbagetown (ATL) either. But ya know what? I don't care that much. I'm on a huge Miles Davis kick right now anyway. And for some reason, my streams still work -- good for background music while executing chores!

Guilt

If I could drive my box down to GA, I would. So sorry all. I think whoever posted that the unshipped boxes have not been delivered by manufacturer or production is probably right. Makes sense. Unfortunate, I can only hope when yours is delivered, you are as pleased as I was. Hang in there.

re: unshipped boxes

A nice gesture would be if they were all made to contain miracle scrolls.

2/11/69 Fillmore East vinyl

Anyone see this mentioned? I was checking amazon and stumbled across a vinyl version to be released 12/11/15. $110... http://www.amazon.com/Fillmore-East-2-11-69-GRATEFUL-DEAD/dp/B0161H1LUI…

QC?

It finally arrived today after being shipped on October 9th. It actually arrived faster than usual from Mail Innovations so I guess that is good. Quality control is for sure lacking with this box set though. I got ticket stub for 5-27-93 and guest pass from 3-22-95.

next to cassette?

...I hear they're making a comeback! Don't we all long for the halcyon days of wow and flutter, hiss, and your machine eating your tape? haha

I can't find my Limited Edition Number

I can't find my number (#598 of 6500, etc) anywhere on the 30 Trips box set. Am I missing something?

What is the story of the

What is the story of the miracle scrolls? Do you get your money back? Do you get to pick the next DaP? Do you get to pick the next guest guitarist for the Not Quite Grateful Dead?

Faximac - Your Number

Check the top of your scroll - number is there.

Took yesterday off....

....played The Wall & the new Los Lobos release. Tonight it's Zenith '90. Sounds a bit muddy. Nowhere near the Spring TOO fidelity. Minglewood caught my attention....I would have picked one of the Germany shows, but that's just me. I'm also posting during the first set. Mayhaps the second set impresses?...

7/31/82 second listen

I've reassessed my view of this show and love it in all it's full 33 year old cassette tape glory. So far, I have yet to listen to the shows from '71, '73, '74, '77, '78, '79, '80, '81, '88, '91, and '93 - '95. '82 is the first one I've revisited. There's so much to discover and rediscover in this box that it's going to take a while to get through. Dave's Pick #16 will be shipping in a week or so and I likely won't get to that for a good while after it arrives. Maybe I'll do a special '73 day and listen to DaP 16 and 11/14/73 back to back.

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081227955892