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 9, 2015 - 3:46pm

#6901

MinasMorgul

Joined:
February 4, 2015

1795 Box Sets Left

I can put 1795 units in my cart but not 1796. I'm thinking this is going to be a stretch for them to sell off the rest. Presumably, all of the die-hards have ordered theirs already, so a $750 box set now has to be sold to 1795 casual fans. I'm not so sure that's going to happen before the Shipping date. What is going to piss me off is if they reduce the price in an effort to sell the remainders. I can't imagine the turmoil that would create on this forum. Nah, they wouldn't do that....would they? Probably not until after 9/18 (otherwise everyone would cancel their order, right?) I wonder how many of the sales are illegitimate, due to that computer glitch last week. Let's see, even at 4705 units sold, that means they've earned $3,293,500 (th-that's 3 million son). Just ship this shit already, I need a fix. I'm pissed there are no Help on the Way / Slipknot! / Franklin's Towers in any of the 70s setlists. What a jip. And not one show from the month of January, August, or December! Way too many other months represented in this set, but we January, August, and December lovers have to go f@#k ourselves. And if you count Dave's Picks, the January / August drought continues - so we can go double-f@#k ourselves. If you go back as far as Road Trips, there are still no January releases, so we January lovers are given the proverbial triple-go-f@#k ourselves. Make that a quadruple - Dick's Picks features nothing from January either - DID THIS BAND EVEN PLAY IN JANUARY?!? Ah yes, it looks like I have to delve into the Download Series all the way back to almost the 1960s to get my fix of January Dead, with Volume 2, clocking in at 1/18/70 and one of the shows where it all started - Live Dead The Eleven and Lovelight from 1/26/69.
June 9, 2015 - 3:15pm

#6902

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

re: mabarilla 9/11/73 William and Mary

yea.. but of all the fall '73 horn shows, 9/11 is by far the best. And there isn't really that much annoyance from the horns (comparatively), especially on Let it Grow. This could be the only show where it worked. The Playin', DS and MDew make this rise to the top like cream. Its a great show, Phil is heavy in the mix. Supposedly Hornsby's first show, so in a sense, changed GD history. My copy cuts out during Morning Dew though, and has an audience patch. I wonder what the copy sounds like that's 5 floors down under the vault? 6/10 and 6/30 are killer also. Can't make a bad pick between the bunch. ..also, for what its worth, I that Duke Ellington box looks really good. If I had more scratch, I'd pick it up.
June 9, 2015 - 2:47pm

#6903

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Most questionable Date on the List is.. 9.11.73

Just for the fact I have heard on record, the Vault Master state the Horns shows would not be released. Daves 15 my prediction is a selection from 1973 or 1976 A show that will include a few of the following, Stella Blue Eyes Bird Song Playing in the Band I will take 6.10.73 or 6.30.73
June 9, 2015 - 2:35pm

#6904

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

LoveJerry , I will gladly buy those Unwanted 80-90's shows

if you are selling them at $10 bucks a pop. $15 if its your lucky day. Just kidding good luck with those listings. *Zuckfun thanks for posting the list. A few definetly stick out. 3.9.81 must have been nixed at some point in favor of another show, Could have been a switcheroo for 4.6.82 or RT MSG90 was chosen as the MSG material. 1.2.70 - classic Dark Star and following sequence 6.10.73 - 3 set epic, which a small portion will be featured on Sirius today at 7pm
June 9, 2015 - 2:29pm

#6905

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Seriously - Duke Ellington....

Just checked, used copies of the Duke are now going for 400 bucks and new copies are 600. I looked because it sounded like a great set to have. As long as we're talking money, have you seen the prices some want for Pure Jerry disc!
June 9, 2015 - 1:57pm

#6906

rusty string

Joined:
February 13, 2013

Around the sun...

Felt really bad about this at first. Limited to 6500? Couldn't they have given the 80s guys some relief by not making them have to buy ten 70s shows again? For a total of $700?People tearing their box sets apart before even getting them?But now I have ordered it. And it's all good. This is just too exciting. Can't wait for September. With all those single shows being offered here, everyone might get what he wants. And: A few days ago I realized that the cinema in my Southern German hometown will screen the last Fare Thee Well show on July 6! It won't be live, but anyway. The cinema might sell out quickly because it's rather small, probably a capacity of 50 or so. Never thought I might have the chance to attend such a kind of MUATM here in Germany. They call it "The Grateful Dead In Concert"...
June 9, 2015 - 1:56pm

#6907

FH2

Joined:
March 9, 2008

corrected list in box

corrected list in box (typo, meant 87 not 77) shows on the list in the box 9/28/75 10/3/76 5/16/81 10/21/83 9/18/87 10/26/89 10/27/90
June 9, 2015 - 1:55pm

#6908

LoveJerry

Joined:
March 19, 2015

PT Barnum (and like-minded others) - I am frustrated too,

but, I understand why it has to be this way. Maybe this will help put it in perspective...... You wrote: "Everything you said I agree with, release the music to the masses and let us purchase what we want when we want it, period. Limited editions is just a marketing tool to get an item sold as quickly as possible." This is the way that they need to do it to 1) make a profit, which they're entitled to, and 2) invest some of that profit into future projects, which provides availability of more shows for Grateful Dead fans in the future (some of which you may approve of). You also mentioned, "I had to laugh when I heard Dave's pitch to Rhino about this set, he stated they all perked up when he mentioned this, do you think it was because of all these great shows being released? or was it the prospect of huge rewards? Something to think about." Well I thought about it, and I decided that while it would be nice to pay one flat rate per show for (say 30 dollars) for whichever shows I wanted, it would benefit me, because I wouldn't be stuck with all of the substandard 80s and 90s shows that are included; but I also know that they are a business, and they're not going to take a loss for any customers - no business does this. And that is what would happen if they adhered to your business plan - assuming a sellout of these box sets before September 18th (which is almost a foregone conclusion), they will have sold 195,000 individual shows (6500 x 30) in 3 months by doing it their way. Your alternative idea, is for them to sell 195,000 individual units in 3 months, which is not going to happen, based on past experience. When you look at the numbers sold by other series, such as Road Trips or Spring 90 (The Other One), they're going to end up with a warehouse full of overstock for a long time. Time is of the essence in business; they may as well burn the money. So, I get your frustration, and believe me, I don't want all 30 shows for $700, I only want 13 for less than half that - but if the alternative is nothing at all - well then I'll just pony up and sell off my overstock on eBay (probably to you), and hopefully pay for my 13 shows with the proceeds - thank you!
June 9, 2015 - 1:10pm

#6909

Cousins Of The…

Joined:
September 10, 2009

Seriously

Making all single 30 shows available would be a major production planning headache: how many 90s shows to produce? How many 70s shows? A limited number edition makes perfect sense. Each disc will cost you ~$9 ea, how can anyone call this a cash grab? To give a perspective, the Complete Duke Ellington RCA box set sold for well over $300 when it came out, and contained only 24 discs(and of course, none of the $ went to either Duke or his sidemen since they were all long dead.) Also, if they decided to make single shows available for download, it still would not diminish the value of the box as a collectible(the original Beatles cover has not been devalued because it has been reissued a few years ago.)
June 9, 2015 - 1:09pm

#6910

Ridin that Train

Joined:
June 5, 2015

exclusivity

Well I agree with you in that if you want to hear the music it is all there if you can type in archive.org and turn on the computer speakers. I meant being able to hear these shows cleaned up and given the full sonic treatment in all their glory. Some people don't mind listening through tinny computer speakers and I do that a LOT when I want to hear a show I don't have but it makes me want to OWN it that much more. To be able to take it with me wherever i go and enjoy it any time or anywhere I want to. You are completely right though, this is the best time in history to be a deadhead for strictly having access to the music. It's truly incredible how much is available to hear. I can imagine how it must feel to have been listening to barely audible cassettes back in the day just to hear the band live versus what we have now. we are truly blessed!

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

MAgs 72

Did u contact Dr Rhino directly or was this thru Dead net. Still waiting in Fl

Drpryan

I sent emails to both Dr Rhino and Dead.net, as well as calling customer service(twice). I hope you hear some good new soon.

So far....

....I've checked out....66 67!! 75 76!!! 78 80 82 84 86! 89 90 91 92 95 ....Cobo is the winner so far. Cozy, smooth and spot on....notice the gap? Yeah, me too....

best song of the year

Best Dancin is 76. even better than 77?I could not afford the physical boxset a few weeks ago and I am still hesitating about the most expensive USB key I ever bought. 1967: is that some Live anthem of the sun? my first grateful dead album. I have to reconsider my position To blow a few candles for 50 years?

1993

After listening to the embarrassment of riches from 1976, 1984 and 1968, I thought I should tone it down with a show I figured would be a letdown. WRONG! The show opens with a strong Bucket, much better than 92. I was joining the band in singing virtually every song on the opening disc, Bertha, Peggy-O, Queen Jane, Cassidy and Casey Jones. Jerry was strong throughout. The only letdown for me was Broken Arrow, not a personal favorite. Disc 2 was great too, but I loved Disc 3 with The Wheel and the encore I Fought The Law. During the show it occurred to me that my favorite cut on So Many Roads is Whiskey in the Jar, which I remembered was rehearsed in February 93. Jerry was interactive and it was fun listening to the band banter back and forth. I was curious how much later this show occurred and sure enough it was a little over a month, the big guy was still in good spirits. Considering the year, I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely listen again. On to 73!

'93 reprise

Just got the 9/93 vine ripped last week. Have been enjoying listening to these shows in between the intense sessions listening to the 60s stuff. I had never heard this tour until now. Jerry's new guitar sound. Vince fully assimilated. Some real nice tunes and shows in this run. Miller-ized for your listening entertainment.

Tours.....

....THAT'S what makes them grate. Every tour had a different sound. Sometimes, the tone would change within tours. That's what makes them what they are. Had a friend of mine come over the other day. Not a music fan, but a sports fan. After watching the Mets beat the Cubs (boooo), I put on some Providence '78 Dead. After three songs, (and us bitching about baseball instant replay), I asked him what he thought of the music. He waiting a bit, then responded with, "They sound...American." My thought exactly.... p.s. he didn't leave until the first set ended. We spent the last couple songs just listening. Then he shook my hand and left....I may have hooked one....

re: Cobo '76 Dancin'

Gotta love overeager Bob coming in a sentence early on "Can't forget that Motor City"...It made me chuckle. He must've really been rarin' to belt out that lyric. Same kind of thing happens during Jack Straw on the 'Leaving Texas', Fourth Day of July' lyric at Manor Downs 7-4-81 (nice show btw). But, agreed. Cobo '76, nice Dancin' with Phil soloing into the reprise.

How 'bout a WORD from someone IN THE KNOW?!?!?

Where's my Lightning Bolt? Where's _any_ NEWS about where my Lightning Bolt is? My SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLAR Lightning Bolt!!! Where is it??? What's the Story??? HELLO.......?!?!?

Cover art for 30 trips around the sun/box number?

Somewhere I found the cover art for the new box set. Could someone please tell me where to look for it? Also, I could not find anything telling me what box number I received. Any idea where to look for that? Thanks for you help. Mr. Pete---------> aging hippie

the number is on the scroll

Number 1 question that has been answered on this thread.

@Mr. Pete

I don't know if this is what else you were looking for, but this page is a very nice resource for GD album covers. Thanks to whomever mentioned it here.https://picasaweb.google.com/106465427611350658328

Number?

Pete look on the top of your scroll it will be numbered. unless you got a Miracle Box then well your in for a whole new treat!

Thanks for the cd cover info/miracle box?

Thanks for the help finding the cover art for the box set. I appreciate it.What is the miracle box vs. the regular box set? Mr. Pete---------> aging hippie

1976

I must have missed something. Was disappointed with all but disc 3, and this was one I had looked forward to. Listening to some of the positive feedback on it, I clearly missed something; will be revisiting today. Thanks

Passaic '77....

....whoa! Monster first set. Let's recap. Minglewood Deal (!) Mama Tried TLEO Looks Like Rain Peggy-O Lazy Lightnin -> Supplication Ship Of Fools (!) Estimated Brown-Eyed Women Music Never Stopped ....simply outstanding / mind blowing. Once again, Betty outdoes herself. Sounds perfect. Just begs to be played loud. Just started the second set. Phil comes hard and fast right out of the gate. The band was raring to go that night.... ....as far as Cobo disappointing, go back to it later Minas. Or turn up the volume. I have been very vocal about that show, as you all know. Can't forget that Motor City indeed!....

Passaic '77....second set....

....The Wharf Rat into Playin is as good as it gets imo. Holy shit....

Passaic '77....encore....

....prior to the encore, Phil comments "Thank you. It's good to be back." Then they kill U.S. Blues like nobody's business. Phenomenal show....Thanks Jerry, Phil, Billy, Mickey, Bobby, Donna, Keith, Betty and Dave. You made my Sunday....

Every Show I Saw after 1987, Branford sat In. True Story

http://gratefulseconds.blogspot.com/2015/10/30-trips-listening-hint-1-e…

GRATEFUL DAD!

I am avery proud and happy dad. My almost 4-year-old son just asked me to play "Fire On The Mountain" by the "Skeleton Band" (what I call the Grateful Dead when I talk to him). We're listening to the '83 Worcester show right now. LOVE IT!

4/15/70

I had this tape about 30 years ago when I first really got into collecting tapes. I thought it was a good show, but my tape was only fair at best, too much hiss. I'd probably give it a C+ at best. Only listened to a few times.Years later, I got it again in a cd-r trade, or was it a b&p deal. Performance was excellent, but the source tape was decent, but better than the original tape I had. Finally in 2015, I get a sonic upgrade as if I was listening to Bear's original master tapes of this show. This time, Candyman really came alive as if the band was in my car. One of my favorite versions of Candyman Thanks Jer! Before that, Man's World is also one of my faves. Thanks Dave & company for the inclusion of show in this box. One of the best of 1970. It also brought me back thinking to when I was a 7th Grader in the 1969 - '70 school year. I was only a 13 year old kid at the time and getting to know the the larger outside world around me, national and international news and other events. I do remember hearing about that 1st Earth Day as it happened in NYC and Philly. I was aware og the Grateful Dead, but didn't really hear their music until Truckin' got airplay in early '71.

ranking indeed

1. 912. 74 3. 92 4. 76 91 is a killer and outrides without a net , will rotate a long time... next up are 68 , 78 and 93

uv1

thumbs up , you have done a good job on your son....

30 trips

Hello everyone,this is my first post but I have been reading them from preorder days. just finished listening to all of the shows in order and must say THANK YOU GDM & RHINO. love all of it , every show from every year has something special to offer. I understand the nature of vault tapes and their possible short comings, and think their choices of shows were fucking sweet! hope you usb stick people get your shows soon. also would like to say I own most every comercial release from the dead and in my opinion the second spring 1990 box set is the best sounding multi-disc set ever released by them. also the first spring 1990 box sounded like shit (if you are going to release a pricey box set at lest make sure it sounds worthy of dong so), so much so that as soon as a i heard the second one I dumped the first knowing I would never listen to it again. did not even burn copies it was/is that bad in comparison to the seconds greatness. just my not so humble opinion, bye for now legalize it!

GRATEFUL DAD! [part 2]

Thanks, @purpleerik69. I forgot to mention, my son has also been coming into my room to look through the new Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics book! He loves turning the pages and looking at the pictures.

O.K....

Finished digesting '71. Great show!...I think '67 and '71 are my favorites so far. Taking my time, savoring through this box! This '71 has some great moments. The whole show rocks! The Rub is great and the Cumberland is one of the best. On to '72 tomorrow, one of the ones Ive been waiting for. Take care folks!!!

surrealistic

Good post. I have been listening sequentially to the box and am up to '82. So far I have been happy with every year, and in a state of bliss with others. I also recently got the Spring 1990 TOO box set and completely agree that the sound of that set is excellent.

what is the story of....

I'd heard if you got a "miracle" scroll, you'd get your lightning bolt usb stick BEFORE Christmas!

how much memory do the lossless files for the box use

Ok, so here is a question for all of you who have put all of this lovely music onto your computers: How much memory does the lossless files for the entire box use? I may need to get a new external hard drive... I am looking forward to listening to the music in this big beautiful box, a.k.a the marriage-wrecker, as it has come to be fondly known in our house.

uv1 Grateful Dad

well , i have a baby grand-soon now only three months old , we bought the toddler here on dead.net store and took a photo , unfortunately i am not that " modern " that i could upload this picture - showing me with baby Arthut in his first GD-toddler. So we have our Grateful-Baby-arthur right here in Austria.......and to your son : the road is long , may it be full of love and good music !

@Swiftundertoe - ALAC = 25GB

I ripped mine ALAC and size consumed was about 25GB.

@swiftundertoe

WAV I've got 43.5 GB.

Grateful Dad also

My 4 year old daughter now has my box. Emptied it out and now it has bracelets and her cd's in it. At first I was cringing.....but hey, if you want some brownie points with the kids and the wife....its a solid move.

So Far

I've listened to '66 '67 '68 '69 '70 x2 '71 '72 '73 '74(and part of it a second time) '75 '76 '77 x2 '78 '79(first two discs only) '80 '81 '91 I started '82 and stopped during the first song.. TERRIBLE sound. Also started '87 and stopped it probably 3 songs in. Just wasn't feeling it and there were people around who probably were feeling it even less. It's possible I am not going to appreciate the shows after '81 as much as some of you others will. Because of this, I've started revisiting earlier shows. '77 is still surprisingly underwhelming to me after two listenings. Guess I was spoiled by all of the '77 shows I bought and listened to in the few months leading up to receiving my box. '76 didn't blow my mind like some people. '75 and, more so, '78 have been the surprise hits for me so far. Of course '67 and '69 were amazeballs, but those didn't surprise me as much as '75 and '78. I definitely feel a second listen for '71-'74 is in order so I can have a more fully formed opinion on them. Those four just kind of ran together for me.

surrealistic - agreed - Spring 90 TOO

Best sounding box/release, I think that one is it also.. I am really curious to know if they will do the first 6 shows again like Spring 90 TOO mix ? In my opinion, those were the better shows from the run for the most part. With the 1st set of 3.16.90, near the top of list for favorites of the tour. Let The Good Times Roll Touch Of Grey New Minglewood Blues Peggy-O Queen Jane Approximately Loser Black Throated Wind Bird Song Blow Away

79...

So far my favorites are 79 and 67. The sound and feel on the Cap Cod show is simply magical. On the other hand, I though 1994 was disappointing after hearing rave reviews: while Help/Slip/Franklin is good, it's painful to hear Jerry struggling with his strings, and missing notes.

1973

I'm trying to get to disc 3, but the China->Rider on disc 2 keeps me hitting the rewind button. The transition jam from one song to the other is utterly spectacular. It reminds me a little of the transition on DP 12.

Artists

Kid C and Betty Cantor Jackson are artist with the way the have made the Dead sound. They are responsible for a big part of the bands legend. If they stayed on longer I think other era's would get more love than they have recieved. The seperation of the instruments on their recordings are head and shoulders above Dan Healy and john Cutter no disrespect. I did not relize the difference until listening to this box. I have also noticed that the recording from 76 I love the best have been recorded by Betty. The Dan Healy tapes sound have that lack of seperation and crispness of the Betty's. Please try to get at least some of the Betty tapes for release.

Grateful Dad: redux

I'm digging the Grateful Dad shares. My 9 year-old son had pretty good taste with Levon Helm/The Band, the Kinks, and Zeppelin among his favorites. His favorite animals are turtles and tortoises. When I was tucking him in recently while he was finishing up his bedtime reading, he was reading a reptile book. He asked if I knew what terrapins were. He's been a longtime fan of "Tennessee Jed" (Levon's version from Electric Dirt), and he's long known I love a band called the Grateful Dead, but I figured it was time for his proper introduction. I grabbed disc 3 from DP 29 (May 19, 1977 from the Fox in Atlanta), and I put that on for him (he listens to music at night while he falls asleep, just like his old man and my old man before me). He was mesmerized by Terrapin, and I could only imagine what visions the lyrics stirred in the mind of an imaginative 9 year-old. I envied his wonder and experience. When I came home later and went in to check on him, he had Terrapin on repeat and was asleep in the position he lays when he is listening intently. He's been listening to that disc at bedtime for about 3 weeks. Last night I was driving with my son, with the 76 Cobo show playing. PITB came on, and he said,"Hey, I know this song."

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