30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

Post reply Log in to post comments

September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

7,852 replies

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

Comments

sort by

Recent

Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A

Reset

November 26, 2015 - 5:55am

#951

takimoto

Joined:
April 12, 2014

Weir histrionics

Agree with earlier posts., I don't know why someone back in the day didn't awake him to how lousy that sounded? Nevertheless, he does sound much better in recent years as he has gone back to just singing. I am very much enjoying every incarnation of post jerry bands. The playing to me is really good and to me better than some of the inconsistent shows of 80's and 90's. Happy thanksgiving all. I'm an hour from where pilgrims landed. Just saw a pbs special on pilgrims. They really had some nuts to do what they did.
November 25, 2015 - 11:51pm

#952

prafter

Joined:
January 5, 2008

Following Instructions

Just crossed Boxzilla's '83 show off the listened to list. I will take your most excellent advice and break out 1970(back in a few)...a highlight show amongst many highlights. 30 Trips is a dumping ground of riches from the Vault and 1970 is a peak...rivals Harpur...just a joyous celebration of the groove
November 25, 2015 - 11:36pm

#953

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Highlight Alert!....

....if you have that glorious box, open it up, pull out 1970, spin disc 1 track 6, pack a bowl, and let Pig & the boyz tell you about a man's world. Careful. It's been known to reach out and grab ya by the collar and shake yer bones....wow....primal indeed. Like I said. Highlight. Wow! ....edit. Yeah, I said I was gonna revisit Dijon, but this damn box spoils me. My compass swung away a few degrees. Landed in the bay area. Could be worse I guess....
November 25, 2015 - 8:27pm

#954

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Revisited the 1991 MSG 30 trip....

....yeah. This is the kind of Dead I like. At least at this moment. My Stealie compass points to many directions. Tomorrow I have my eye on that Dijon show....I recall it being....French
November 25, 2015 - 2:14pm

#955

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

rbmunkin - I Give Them To '78

I also have a hard time with anything past the 70s, but really I would say 78 has some stuff I wouldn't want to be without. There are a lot of shows I enjoy in 78 (DP 18, DaP 7 & 15). I also love The Closing of Winterland. While I really dig those three releases from the Spring that I just mentioned, they are more or less the same batch of songs that were being performed with regular virtuosity in 77. The 12/31/78 show is a great performance that sounds great (multi-track) and has some new tunes: Stagger Lee, I Need A Miracle, and From The Heart Of Me, plus the Return Of Dark Star. And to be honest, I like a lot of the Egypt stuff. I don't think the Stagger Lee and Miracle are as quite as good as Winterland, but they're respectable. What is worth the price of admission from Egypt: Jack Straw (great jam and climax, everyone seems to be in tune) New Minglewood Blues (really cool slower version - I can actually keep up with what he's singing, and yes, women DO start looking good after a couple shots of whiskey. Nice barroom piano from Keith throughout) Candyman (nice version with nice tremolo solo from Jerry) Stagger Lee and I Need A Miracle (respectable versions, just not the monsters that we get on The Closing of Winterland) Deal (this was my favorite post-hiatus version for awhile, then DaP 15 was released - Donna sings her ass off good at the end, just like the DaP 15 rendition) Fire On The Mountain (it's biggest crime is being separated from Scarlet Begonias. Nice long version with some extended jamming at the end, a Phil Zone spectacular) Iko Iko (Love it. As good as 5/15/77 and 11/4/77) Shakedown Street (the crown jewel of this release - only official release of Shakedown Street with the Godchauxs. Maybe I had too much too fast.) The Bonus Disc has some cool songs on it, but the performances are little bit loose. And the sound is great throughout, multi-track madness. And of course Keith is the star :) I'm trying to get better acquainted with Road Trips '78. I've only listened to it a few times, and my first impressions are that the sound is not great, and that the performance is a little loose. I also prefer the non-slide Bob Weir of '78. The only time I recall that it bolstered a song is Stagger Lee from 12/31, and with all of the guests present that night, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't him. And don't forget - it's only in '78 that Estimated Prophet truly comes into its own, as Jerry's early solo has been extended from 20 seconds to 2 minutes. Dick's Picks 18 is the place to go for Estimated BOAT (although DaP 15 is a close runner up). Happy Thanksgiving all you Dead Turkeys
November 25, 2015 - 11:36am

#956

rbmunkin

Joined:
February 24, 2009

1970 Winterland

Agree about The Other One. Wow. I still like the Harper College one better, but they are neck and neck.This is my kind of Dead, which is why I have trouble with anything after 1977. Not a jot of Dead past that is anything like this. Very little from 71-77 is either, but there are at least many good points there. So that explains a bit why I'm critical of the Dead past 77 - it just depends it seems to me on what kind of Deadhead one is. I'm into their acid test roots. This kind of The Other One is how I compare anything else they do. So it's a high water mark for sure! I'm just not a "Hell in a Bucket" kind of guy.
November 25, 2015 - 11:12am

#957

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

1970 Winterland

I also really love this Winterland show. What is it about 30 Trips 1970? Oh, I'm glad you asked. Start with the sound, it's probably the best audio representation from the year. But once you get past that, it's hot hot hot, right out of the starting gate. Highlights for me: Cold Rain & Snow, and this one is the best version I've heard from the '69/'70 years. I imagine this is a tough song to get a great two-track mix down on, because of the harmony vocals. Most two-track mixes are left victim to an unbalanced soundboard (think Thelma), but this one is just exactly right....heh! Very solid China Cat Sunrider that also has great sounding backup vocals. Blistering guitar work from Bobby and Jerry on Technical Difficulties. Pigpen blows the door down like the Big Bad Wolf on Man's World. Wow, do yourself a favor... Candyman is worth the price of admission. Who invited the Allman Brothers anyway? Crypticals, Jam, and The Other One - I am going to quote my bestest Dead Head buddy. This is what he had to say: "....I switched it up to Winterland 70, and then I got put in the replay mode. I got hit by the best that's it for the other one that I have ever heard. So I played CD 1, then CD 2. Again, again, and again. It's been like this all week...." Dancing in the Streets - TIGHTEN UP. Fantastic jam vehicle. Great primal Lovelight to close the show, with just enough NFA. They were really captured in their Primal glory on this one.
November 25, 2015 - 9:21am

#958

hbob1995

Joined:
June 26, 2007

1970 Winterland & Foghat

I just listened again, twice, to the 30 Trips show from 1970. All I can say is that the second disc is awesome! Highlights for me are the "Jam" and the "Dancin" which goes to a different place then usual. Great stuff. I have yet to find a Trip that is not excellent. Lovin' them all. I agree with Unkle Sam. The early Foghat is tremendous. When I was in college these first couple of albums got lots of play, especially when we were pulling all nighters, which was way more often then you would think! Back then classes were only a small part of my college experience. Guess I still pay for that today but boy did I have enough fun for several life times! Rock on
November 25, 2015 - 8:36am

#959

unkle sam

Joined:
October 3, 2008

Fogget

You guys are missing the best that that band had to offer when you don't listen to the first album, simply entitled "Foghat" or the second album, with the rock and the roll on the cover. Funny story, when that second album came out a friend of mine asked me "what is that on the front cover, a stone and a biscuit?' lol, when I told him it was a rock and a roll, he had a puzzled look on his face for about a second, then he got it and laughed out loud. Listened to both of these many times in my travels about the country back in the early seventies, it was great driving music. As far as the usb, don't cancel, wait till it ships, then ask for a refund and keep the product, after all this, you deserve it.
November 25, 2015 - 8:29am

#960

boblopes

Joined:
January 13, 2009

my take on the whole delay debacle

Since there was a delay in both products, I figured it was something common to both. I thought from the beginning, it was something as simple as the typical 1 or 2 second pause between songs. When they were QA'n song to song, they did not notice this, but when they played an entire cd, it was apparent. They checked the all the files and saw that it happened on all formats. Since the CD box had one set of files to be fixed with 6500 orders to fill and Bolt had double the amount of files to fix (HD & mp3) with only 800 orders to fill, they corrected the boxset first. Compound this with the big 50th celebration and all the other projects in the works and fitting the rework in Rhino's existing schedule (or who their vendors schedule), these timelines got bumped out big time, but rhino did not want other unrelated projects to get delayed. This is all speculation on my part. If they knew the delay was going to be pushed out significantly for the Bolt, the should've waited on charging customers. But if they had done that, the Bolt purchasers would've been upset they were excluded from the streaming. It was a no win situation from dead.net, but they made it a lot worse with their lack of communication. People waiting for the Bolt should be pissed and rightfully so.

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."

081227955892