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    July 1978: The Complete Recordings

    What's Inside:

    • Five Complete Shows on 12 discs
    • 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO
    • 7/3/78 St. Paul Civic Center Arena: St. Paul, MN
    • 7/5/78 Omaha Civic Auditorium: Omaha, NE
    • 7/7/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
    • 7/8/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
    Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
    Artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope
    Intro and show-by-show liner notes by Nicholas Meriwether
    Producer's Note by David Lemieux
    Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
    Release Date: May 13, 2016

    Announcing July 1978: The Complete Recordings

    We’re pleased to announce JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, five incredible unreleased shows and the first official release from the long-lost tapes, recently returned to the Grateful Dead’s vault. Follow the Dead on a sonic journey through a superb selection of settings, an often epic adventure that finds them winning over Willie and Waylon fans in Kansas City, conjuring charisma in Omaha, and elevating the Red Rocks beyond their already spiritual planes. With five distinct performances painting the masterpiece of 1978, Betty Cantor-Jackson's always-pristine soundboard recordings, and the "hall-of-fame pedigree" of the Dead's first-ever shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, this is one release that far exceeds excellence in music, sound quality, and rarity.

    Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS includes Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78) - all of the performances in this collection are drawn from the band’s master soundboard recordings, each newly mastered by Jeffrey Norman. The set also features original artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope (D.C. and Marvel comics) and in-depth liner notes written by Nick Meriwether (Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz), as well as a producer’s note from producer David Lemieux.

    Due May 13th, we anticipate that this extraordinary box will sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here.

    Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

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  • MinasMorgul
    Joined:
    DLR
    Ice cream cone kid, I have to disagree about David Lee Roth - the man can't sing anymore. He no longer seems to have the ability to carry a tune in concert. The last show I saw was embarrassing - they seem to know there is a problem. He gets up there, huffing and puffing, and blurts out the lyrics in this choppy, tiresome monotone with no rhythm or melody whatsoever. The rest of the band sounds great, and it's those backing vocals that keep the shows from being a complete train wreck. I was so disappointed, and I'm not alone. I gave him a few chances since they're reunion, but to no avail - he wasn't just having "off" nights. Here are the reviews from ticketmaster's site, in order, over the course of several shows. Everyone gave them a 1 out of 5, and everyone cited Deteriorated Dave as the weak link. Really, don't waste your money. It's a shame, these guys used to be great, but it really demonstrates what an anomaly Dave was. 1 / 5 van halen sucked Hollywood Bowl - Hollywood, CA - Fri, Oct 2, 2015 eddie superb everyone else was tired and uninspired i've seen van halen, yes, steely dan and toto in the last five months i'm a 58 year old gtr playing 40 year member of LA musicians union TOTO was far and away the best of the four oh well 1 / 5 HORRIBLE! Disappointed big time! Hollywood Bowl - Hollywood, CA - Fri, Oct 2, 2015Posted 10/05/2015by TagBert David Roth ruined the show. He sounded awful-talked through the lyrics instead of singing. He made up/replaced words in songs and his voice is gone! He made the concert all about him, and not the music. If it were not for the band, and back up singing, you would not have recognized any of the songs. Was soooo disappointed. Favorite moment: When it was over. 1 / 5 Van Halen Ak-Chin Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ - Mon, Sep 28, 2015Posted 10/01/2015by WLDHRTBKR Band sounded great, but Dave was pathetic!!! Would have been a much better show if Van Halen had opened up for Kenny Wayne Sheppard....now there's some talent!! 1 / 5 DLR was so far off, it made it unbearable. Gexa Energy Pavilion - Dallas, TX - Wed, Sep 23, 2015Posted 09/27/2015by HijoDelSol1 If you want to hear all your favorite Van Halen songs, I would suggest loading up your MP3 player and hitting play. David Lee Roth was so far off from the rest of the band that it painful. The rest of the band sounded great, would have rather had them run in a tribute band singer then to listen to that. Favorite moment: Guitar Solo 1 / 5 Diamond Dave is Done Oak Mountain Amphitheater - Pelham, AL - 09/17/2015Posted 09/23/2015by LeeTB I cringed the whole way through the Van Halen show. Seriously, if you know anything about vocals, music, singing in key, singing at all, you would have no other choice but to agree that David Lee Roth is done. Sure, he still can entertain the crowd with his antics, but when you don't sing 80% of the lyrics, and the lyrics you do sing are our of key, just hang it up. If they had just advertised it as an instrumental show, featuring the rest of the band, it would have been 100% better. Don't be fooled. Unless you're just going to see Eddie, or the Kenny Wayne Shepherd band is opening, you WILL be disappointed. Favorite moment: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band set - great gig!!!! Saved the night - seeing Eddie for the 2nd time live. 1 / 5 Kenny Wayne OK but VH sucked. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts - Bethel, NY - Sun, Sep 6, 2015Posted 09/22/2015by PMW1960 Kenny Wayne Shepard was sounding great but only played 35 minutes. WTF, he could have played an hour or so. VH was terrible. The band sounded OK but the vocals and backup singing was terrible. The volume on the vocals was turned down so it was hard to hear David but that was probably a good thing. Favorite moment: The end. Opening act(s): KWS band. Good but way to short. 1 / 5 DLR stole my money Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - Birmingham, AL - Thu, Sep 17, 2015 Posted 09/21/2015by jbix613 David lee Roth needs to quit today! He talked thru most lyrics. When he did try he couldn't hit the high notes at all. He even tried to do 15 minutes of terrible stand up.This is the first concert I ever left early and I wasn't alone, I was joined with hundreds. 1 / 5 Van Halen / David Lee Roth MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds - Tampa, FL - Sun, Sep 13, 2015Posted 09/16/2015by notoriousscottyb I've been to see other older bands with not much expectations of a great show . I was not disappointed. That being said ... As you would think it was mostly the Dave show. His voice, key and timing are way off. It would seem as though they didn't rehearse. I really expected more from a Van Halen Show. Eddie Is usually full of energy and excited to please the crowd but not this show. I'm extremely sorry I spend the eighty bucks per ticket. It was a twenty dollar show at best. I was NOT alone walking out at ten thirty. I couldn't withstand any more of the abuse of Van Halen music. Favorite moment: Leaving early..Priceless 1 / 5 Very Disapointed PNC - Charlotte, NC - 09/11/2015Posted 09/15/2015by ChrisDaddy This was the fourth time I have seen Van Halen in my lifetime, and I realize they have gotten older as I have. I have adjusted my expectations accordingly. Eddie and family were spot on, but DLR was all over the place. I know you get some variation with live music, but he was constantly off on the lyrics, out of sync wih the band, and did a lot of just plain odd movements on stage. It sounded terrible and he was difficult to watch. As much as I love Van Halen, DLR is done..... Favorite moment: Eddie's solo 1 / 5 See Van Halen in a corner Bar SOON !!!! PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC - Fri, Sep 11, 2015Posted 09/14/2015by Furiousnight The worst Van Halen show I have ever been too. And I have been to at least 15 of Van Halen shows. Davids voice is gone. He acted to crazy and talked to much. He even stopped the middle of songs and talked. Does David have dementia. I think Wolfgang has a better voice then David. Favorite moment: Eddies guitar solo 1 / 5 VAN HALEN PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC - Fri, Sep 11, 2015Posted 09/14/2015by Anonymous I HAVE BEEN A VAN HALEN FAN SINCE 1977, SEEN THEM MANY TIMES . LOVE D THEM WITH DAVE AND SAMMY. THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST SHOWS I'VE EVER SEEN. DIAMOND DAVE CAN NOT SING , COULD NOT SING. A ENTIRE SONG, NOT THAT I WANTED TO HEAR THAT VOICE .MAYBE SHOULD TRY OUT FOR DANCING WITH THE HAS BEENS. Favorite moment: WHEN I LEFT HALF WAY THREW SHOW 1 / 5 Tour experience is a waste! Walnut Creek Amphitheatre - Raleigh, NC - Wed, Sep 9, 2015Posted 09/14/2015by Skieder We got to the sound check about 15 minutes after the time listed in the email. The check-in took long and our "escort" (a young girl) took forever to greet us at the gate. It wasn't until I questioned the check-in person how long the sound check lasted that they had a sense of urgency about actually letting us in. We had to walk all the way around the park (5 minutes at least) and got to the stage just as the band finished up. There was no exception made at all. We were not compensated whatsoever. After the sound check ended, a person who said she was in charge of the group told us where to hang out and what was available (drinks, food and t-shirt stand). We sat around for nearly 3 hours because we weren't allowed to leave the park, waiting for the opening act. For the amount of money I paid they could have done a little more. I will never purchase this product again...COMPLETE WASTE of MONEY! Favorite moment: Good seats 1 / 5 Total Disappointment Bethel Woods Center for the Arts - Bethel, NY - Sun, Sep 6, 2015Posted 09/10/2015by EMAS My husband had wanted to see Van Halen for years. He was looking very forward to this show, particularly at Bethel Woods, which is an awesome venue. This show was a complete disappointment. The opener, Kenny Wayne Shepard, was good. When VH took the stage the crowd was excited but then it ended. David Lee Roth really can't sing any longer. He was out of sync with the band, off key, off pitch - overall not good. The band didn't seem together either. The sound was too loud, the guitar overrode everything else, they just didn't seem like a professional band. We have seen bar bands that were better. It sounded like bad karaoke. When we decided to leave early - we have never left a concert early ever before - many others were streaming out as well. All were saying the same thing. This was painful! Favorite moment: The decision to leave the concert.
  • mbarilla
    Joined:
    She's my baby She's my darling she's my Soul...
    3.28.69 - Student Center, Modesto Jr. College 7.7.69 - PIGPEN !!!!! I say please Mamma turn on your light.. "Some of your love some of your light... "That's All you folks need now, just a little light, thats all you folks need, a little more love, yes you do, I ask my baby let it shine on me...
  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    pig, roth and lee
    pig was a biker first, then a singer and then a harp player then an organist, oh wait, but foremost he was a man, who liked sex, good thing, without it, no human race. David lee was a promoter, a rocker, a singer and a front man, who liked sex, good thing.... Alvin lee was a rocker, a guitarist and a great guy, way underappreciated and his contributions to ten years after will never be equaled, no one was a fast as him except maybe darma buck who is the lead guitarist for blue oyster cult, now that is one fast fingering. Most girls I know like fast fingering. Shake your money maker.
  • daverock
    Joined:
    That one guy.
    9/19/70-I don't know about the Lovelight, but its got an incredible Dark Star on it. Horses for courses. Its music like that that has always made me ignore the advice of people like that angry jackstraw bloke, to stop listening to The Dead.
  • daverock
    Joined:
    Keithfan
    I agree, that Lovelight played on 5/24/72 is one of my favourite versions. At the 12 minute mark, it doesn't overstay its welcome, either. I think there was a tendency towards excess in rock music around that time. If anyone had any particular talent, they seemed to overdo do it. Pigpen was a great vocalist-he wasn't a poet. Ginger Baker was a great drummer with Cream...but his 16 minute+ solo on The Wheels of Fire version of Toad is very hard going. There was a great pop/rock band in England in the early 1970s called T.Rex-I don't know if they were well known in America. Anyway, they made great singles. But live they were a disaster. I saw them in 1972, and they played long versions of their songs, totally destroying the impact they could have had if they had been a bit more concise.Sometimes, of course, a bands strength lay in its ability to jam. On most of their songs, this applies to The Dead. A 15 minute version of Dark Star from 1971 always seems too short to me. They could be concise to good effect, too, though. I have just finished listening to the 7/5/78 show from the box set. The encore of Promised land is as good a version of a Chuck Berry song as I think I have ever heard. Its only 4 mins 13 secs long, but nothing more needs to be said.
  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Vguy
    Go see VH if they tour again. Last September when I saw them they were great.For anyone who is a so-so fan or is not familiar, go if you get the chance. They are getting older, but toured last year. Eddie is an amazing guitarist, you need to witness it live. Dave is the ultimate show man. The whole band rocks. Also, look up on YouTube Van Halen "Live At Largo", another good show.
  • alexj
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    MORE PIGPEN!
    and all the raps he brings with him! maybe we could get a release of, i think it's 9/19/70, i could be wrong about that, but it's a particularly hot show where they storm through lovelight (as if they ever did a version that era where they didn't), and where the rap gets to the point where bobby steps up to the mic to inquire: "Pigpen, did you just say fuck?" if not that show, i hear the ones from the ARK in Boston in 4/21-23/69 are pretty good - ahem, uh dave, next box set, sure, why not? Thanks. I've also heard done tell from a few of the folks that the NYE show from '69, also in beantown, is quite bad-ass, with one hell of an Alligator jam to it's name. everyone, well except for that one guy (who is entitled to his opinion, and the right to express it freely), would be quite happy with many more pig heavy releases.
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Nice icecrmcnkd....
    ....now THAT video brings me back. Halen put on a fantastic show....saw them once. Alas, not with Roth. 5150 Tour....that, alas again, was during my transition to the Dead. Metal/Hard Rock took a back seat for a decade or so.....
  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Muleskin
    Your VH introduction: https://youtu.be/frwlZswvS5I Watch the whole thing. It's a 3-day weekend, you've got the time.
  • muleskinner_blues
    Joined:
    Haha Vguy yessir
    I missed the Van Halen days, other than Jump as a basketball warm-up.. (that was at some tournament, at home of course we ran out to Jesus Christ Superstar intro > Rock You Like A Hurricane orchestral version > Still Fly by the Big Tymers. Huh..no wonder I like the Dead's incongruent weirdness..) Anyways, don't know much Van Halen, but in on the Blondie! Only know the hits I suppose, but my favorite is Heart of Glass. But One Way or Another, Rapture, Call Me, Atomic...all great. Love that Rapture video. Sometimes I just go around downtown like that dude. Then I heard boom from the amplifiers.
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July 1978: The Complete Recordings

What's Inside:

• Five Complete Shows on 12 discs
• 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO
• 7/3/78 St. Paul Civic Center Arena: St. Paul, MN
• 7/5/78 Omaha Civic Auditorium: Omaha, NE
• 7/7/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
• 7/8/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
Artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope
Intro and show-by-show liner notes by Nicholas Meriwether
Producer's Note by David Lemieux
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
Release Date: May 13, 2016

Announcing July 1978: The Complete Recordings

We’re pleased to announce JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, five incredible unreleased shows and the first official release from the long-lost tapes, recently returned to the Grateful Dead’s vault. Follow the Dead on a sonic journey through a superb selection of settings, an often epic adventure that finds them winning over Willie and Waylon fans in Kansas City, conjuring charisma in Omaha, and elevating the Red Rocks beyond their already spiritual planes. With five distinct performances painting the masterpiece of 1978, Betty Cantor-Jackson's always-pristine soundboard recordings, and the "hall-of-fame pedigree" of the Dead's first-ever shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, this is one release that far exceeds excellence in music, sound quality, and rarity.

Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS includes Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78) - all of the performances in this collection are drawn from the band’s master soundboard recordings, each newly mastered by Jeffrey Norman. The set also features original artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope (D.C. and Marvel comics) and in-depth liner notes written by Nick Meriwether (Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz), as well as a producer’s note from producer David Lemieux.

Due May 13th, we anticipate that this extraordinary box will sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here.

Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

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re Doors memories: I don't remember any awful Jim drunken escapades, but then I don't remember a whole lot of anything. I was 16-18 when I saw them, and completely sober. I wouldn't have known about thin sound as I had nothing to compare to. Don't remember going to any other notable concerts back then. Upon further research, I was at 5/11/68 and 5/8/70 in Detroit and 2/15/70 in Chicago. 11/20/71 and 8/14/72 (or 9/3/72) in Detroit post-Jim. Gotta dig through the ticket stubs... Apparently the 5/8/70 was the longest Doors concert ever.
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Canada is in America, North America that is, along with the USA. That's why it the United States OF America and the another part of it is called Canada. I'd say the American moniker fits them well as they dealt with song content that encompassed wide swaths of American history and themes not exclusive to the United States.
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I saw them at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970 and I did not enjoy it one bit. That said, I was not a fan of the band. I had listened extensively to their albums as my brother had them all, but had never really got into them. Their performance on the Isle of Wight reinforced my opinion that they had little to offer. I did subsequently make the effort to visit Jim Morrison's grave in Paris, but only because I was staying nearby.
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I have to throw out Van Halen as one of the all time great American bands. From the classic Van Halen I to 1984 there is hardly a bad tune on any of those studio albums. You also can't under estimate their superb musicianship or good times they brought to the rock and roll world.
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Some names I haven't seen for your consideration Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, Butthole Surfers, NIN...
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I would like to see a slipcase with 2 components, a hardcover containing the discs and a second with the essays, also hardcover. Along the lines of the SSDD limited but with a hardcover essay book
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Listening to “THE BOX” this morning. 1978 (which was great) and onto 1979 and the first thing I hear is plink, plink, plink, plink, plink, and more plink.Did Brent think the Flock of Seagulls Casio was appropriate for Jack Straw, Candyman, Me and My Uncle, Big River? He did really improve through the years but this 79 is a tough listen and I like 79 Dead.
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Working my way through the box in sequence, I was horrified when I got to 1979. All the energy seemed to have drained out of the band and yep, there was the Toys-R-Us piano to contend with. Things gradually got better through the '80s but they never got back to pre-'79 levels. I preferred the '90s shows to the '80s shows, with '79 being the low point of the whole box. But then again, I don't think any line-up was as good as the "Magnificent Seven" from the late '60s.
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Yeah, this ruins what would be some otherwise enjoyable shows for me. I agree about the 90s stuff in the box too - better than 80s because it's without Plinko. I wish it didn't bother me, and I revisit this material every 6 months or so. His keys were cool to my ears when he was doing Feel Like A Stranger on DaP 8, and several songs on Nassau and Dead Set. I'm not a keyboard effionado, but I believe from what I've read on this board, it's the moog or polymoog as well as the Hammond B3 organ that make the sounds my ears prefer, and I'm not sure what keyboard makes the skin crawling tinky-tonk, perhaps the Fisher Price 420. I like the notes he plays, he's a talented musician. I blame Jerry, perhaps unfairly, for allowing this into their soundscape. Maybe Phil and Bobby deserve some of the constructive criticism, I just always got the impression that Jerry was the unsung leader and decision maker. Also can't deal with Brent's vocals as time went on. His voice was less abrasive to my ears early on, but as Jerry began to falter in the 80s, Brent moved into a more involved role, and soon all old songs were marred (to my ears). Everyone talks about Jerry's voice declining, and Bobby screaming the vocals, not singing them in the 80s, but I hear a degradation in Brent's singing voice too by '87, which I don't hear in the early 80s. Put all that together, and there's no question in my ears, which period was "better". I do enjoy some of the stuff that was written and performed during the Brent years, but even a great tune like Feel Like A Stranger was hurt by the Plinko keyboards. I will keep trying though. There are a couple of very loud 80s fans who swear by it often. I'm just hoping the reason isn't a lack of 70s exposure.
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whole heartedly agree. George Clinton has done more for American music than almost anyone I can think of. Still going strong too. As a band, Pfunk has always been in the business of blowing minds on stage. Don't miss them if they come around
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i had my virgin listen to 9/4/79 yesterday. the compendium reviewer is Brian Dyke, who as usual is blah. do _not_ pay attention to that guy. Have you ever heard the jam out of He's Gone, which then goes into an insane Drums? Aye, bruddah, magnificent.
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I was rather enjoying that trip, its my current listen. Lots of new energy and new ideas floating around. ..whats.. hey somebody just crushed my buzz. Like seeds in weed I say..
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Secret Earth: Yellowstone Super Volcano is on the History channel as I write this. Thought I would add since we were talking about Rainier and Yellowstone blowing their tops recently. Fire on the Mountain...
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With well over 30 years of listening to the Dead, and having collected literally thousands upon thousands of hours from every era of them, including virtually every long time favorite shows, I find myself preferring the '80's more than ever. I rather enjoy the sound of the chime of the modified Fender Roades Brent played predominantly between '79 and '81. I would agree that he grew more into the band with each passing year where Keith pretty much fell into steady decline post retirement. During the first couple of years of the bands existence, Pigpens keyboard sound of choice was pretty cheesy to my ears where he sounded like he was playing a roller skating rink keyboard. I used to pan Bruce's accordion but grew to like it more as time has went on. Vince's keyboard sounds were often over-processed to my ears though by '92 he was using more piano and organ patches. Lack of exposure to the '70's? Nope. Been there....done that. Will certainly go there again when I feel the urge to as I like all era's. I just like the '80's more.
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if anything "ruins" any GD for you, then you're doing it wrong. Agree that Brent's choice of keys was less-than-ideal, but 10/27/79 is a HOT show. My issues with Brent have more to do with his song-writing, and less than his skills as a keyboardist/vocalist. The plinky keys are gone by 1984 or so, so I can deal with it.
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I agree in every aspect. First off, it's all picking nits. If something 'ruins' it for you (Donna screams, Bobby screams, missed lyrics, Pigpen raps, Brent's plinky keys, etc) then you ARE doing it wrong. Yes, no doubt, Brent could be a tad too bitter sometimes (Never Trust a Woman, Don't Need Love, Tons of Steel). But he did come up with a couple of pretty good non-bitter songs: We Can Run, Easy to Love You, I Will Take You Home, even Far From Me and Just A Little Light weren't bad. And all the bitter ones weren't bad (Blow Away). On the '79 Trip. I, too don't really like the plinky keys, but the show it still hot.
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Are we limiting it to rock? I mean, Jazz/R&B/Funk & Soul should get a shout, yes? James Brown, Miles Davis, B.B. King, George Clinton, Sly & the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Meters. Not to mention the rest of Motown (Supremes, Jacksons, Temps, Tops, Smokey Robinson, Commodores) and more Jazz & Blues luminaries. If we are sticking to rock, I applaud the Velvet Uderground mention. Crosby, Stills, & Nash also probably deserve a shout (is there a Canadian there?). Also Jimi Hendrix. But Bob Dylan has to top them all, yes? And if folk/pop is included, Paul Simon deserves a mention.
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Yes to all of those and then the ones weve forgotten. But let's not forget about Neil Young if you're mentioning CSN...he was Canadian after all :)
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Did you say 9/4/79?!?!?!?! Great show! That was the opening night of a three night MSG NYC September 1979 run -- and what a great three-night-stand it was. Brent's first MSG show. Brent was making his big time/league debut and The GD slayed the dragon those nights. These shows deserve a mini box treatment or folded into a late 79 box. . .. Just sayin'. Dave. . ..
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Thanks! I do like The Doors and have a number of Bright Midnight live cds. That Jimbo what a character! I do agree with the poster who said that with Morrison Hotel and LA Woman The Doors were just hitting their stride and if Jim had lived and gotten healthier than they would have had a number of equally good future LPs. I know that they were planning on adding Jerry Schef on bass for a more professional future tour. Oh the What Ifs of musical history? I have a Doors boot with Bret Scalions on vocals and they sound great even on more complicated numbers like The Soft Parade and the LA Woman just smokes. My high school math teacher Ms. C had seen them and loved them.
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The Red Rocks shows from Aug 12 and McNichols Aug 13 are monster '79 shows, but the plink in the 30 Trips box -- encountered on a late night drive out of the foothills canyons here along the Front Range of Colorado after listening to the 1971 selection - led me to immediately shelve it in favor of something more appealing to the ears. So, yeah, some '79 shows will eventually make it to official release and the two I cited might be contenders. The first night, Aug 12, we blazed mightily and the band was super tight, even searing. The next night, Aug 13, remains emblazoned on my mind. My girlfriend and I both dropped a considerable dose and just as the band came on stage, she had to go to the bathroom! So I accompanied her and, just before she enters the ladies room she turns to me with near-fear on her face. "You'll be right here when I come out, r-r-right?" "If it takes forever, darling," I replied, somewhat unsure what the next ten minutes would bring. We made our way back onto the floor of the arena and to our row and scooted into our seats -- actually, everyone was standing on their seats -- and Bobby said something like, "It may do you some good to know that it's raining like hell outside," the crowd erupted (so glad to not be left out in the pouring rain) and just then Phil & Co unleashed the bomb that started a monstrous version of "Shakedown Street." Next thing we know, we're tripping our (her) tits off, but safe in a groovy row with our pals and the band played on. To sum up, plinking bad, no-plink '79 good.
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I come back from an unplugged trip to Florida to find this! Didn't run into the erstwhile Florida Bob though, I am worried about that very cool fellow. As for the box - Whoo hoo! Looks to me from the video that they'll be getting Betty Boards back in drips and drabs, which is great I guess. Never thought of that option (versus all or nothing). The Doors: I always loved them, though I seldom listen today. I see what Jerry means I guess, but it seems harsh and surprisingly closed minded. I knew a classical guitar player in college (a teacher), and I asked him if he liked any rock guitarists. I expected Hendrix or one of the usual suspects, but he said Robbie Krieger. Then he played a bunch of Doors tunes on his classical guitar and I went, "oh wow!" Underrated guitar player. For those who want just one Doors album, might I suggest the recently re-issued "Weird Scenes Inside the Goldmine" compilation. I've had the album since 1985 or so - one of those rare compilations that works as a cohesive "album" on it's own (think "Legend" by Marley). Brilliant compilation album. American Rock Bands: Great calls. As I read through the forum to catch up, I found myself saying "What about Van Halen (yes, up to "1984"), REM, the Ramones? And voila, you guys got to 'em. I would add other contenders too - Nirvana, Guns and Roses (Appetite alone vaunts them into some rarefied air), Sonic Youth, Uncle Tupelo/Wilco. And, for me, hands down, the winner of "Best American STUDIO Band" would be: Steely Dan. (Personally, I would put the Mother Hips up there too, but they aren't popular enough to reach "great" status). Creedence Clearwater and Tom Petty are pretty quintessentially American too... Plinky keys: Count me among those who like them. My favorite Brent years are actually 79-81 in part for that reason. Whereas his piano sound of the late-80s sounds like something that wants to sound like a piano, but doesn't quite (it sounds ersatz to me). Deadegad, how about a Sep 79 box? :)
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13 years 1 month
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Yeah, I left Neil off because I know he's Canadian. If we are going to talk American rock, I'd also nominate Talking Heads.
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14 years 9 months
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Gotta hear the rest of that run. 79...gotta love 79 says (looks like) rainman Dave's chats are...interesting. incredible hottest really incredible a duck shows incredible. Love you Dave. I want your gig.
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13 years 4 months
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I guess Spinal Tap is completely out then...
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12 years 4 months
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Yes I agree with the disturbing plinky tone reference but the 79 Trip is still fantastic. The He's Gone into the Other One sequence is off the charts. I've completed 66 through 79. Next up the 80's. My expectations are somewhat low so I can hopefully be pleasantly surprised with those trips. American Bands: The Doors were indeed remarkable. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are an American treasure. Glad someone mentioned Van Halen, great party music. I am referring to the David Lee Roth years. Though Jerry way back when did not think too much of EVH in an interview. I guess he spawned a lot of guitarists that were more into guitar stunts or gymnastics than playing & writing great songs. Fogerty sure wrote plenty of great timeless CCR songs over the years as well. On the boogie rock/blues side ZZ top & Canned Heat deserve a nod here. Santana, The Meters & Little Feat sure could lay down grooves. For the alternative scene the Meat Puppets, Dinosaur Jr & Yo La Tengo stand out. As far as newer bands Phish & even Moe on the jam side. Lastly, Spoon out of Austin Texas are worth checking out.
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15 years 1 month
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Arthur Lee's various incarnations of Love are worthy of consideration. Seeing them at small clubs in Hollywood in '66-67 was an unforgettable experience. All this talk about The Doors has helped uncross some synapses. In late '66 I once helped drive equipment for my town's local band, the New Generation. It was one Saturday night in early December and they were playing with two other bands at the Sea Witch. https://www.facebook.com/SeaWitchSunsetStrip As I drove into the small parking lot in back there was a white van blocking my way. Written on the side doors of the van was The Doors. I yelled at the driver to get the fuck out of my way so I could help unload the equipment. He did. After the show we were all invited to that other band's producer's place up in the Hollywood Hills. We had taken acid and were sitting around in the kitchen. Being a sixteen year old of no musical import and with hair that conformed with the dress code of my rightwing high school (hair not touching the ears or collar) I was not of any particular interest to the ladies there. This did not do my sense of confidence and raging hormones any good at all. Someone put an acetate of an album that was due to be released the next week. That was the first time I heard The Doors debut album. I got home around dawn, picked up the Sunday newspaper and brought it in just as my very straight parents were waking up. I lucked out as it made it look like I had gotten up just before them and had not been out all night. As you have probably figured out by now that guy I had yelled at to move the van - Jim Morrison
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10 years 7 months
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Not forgetting Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mountain, Canned Heat, Butterfield Blues Band, & Byrds, although I've not played much of this lately due to the GD taking listening precedence. Still not in any great hurry to splurge out my hard earned dosh on the latest GD vinyl offings, the prices being asked for with import fees plus postage to the UK just make me wince, shame really because I love my Vinyl, it's just as well I have them as CD's already available in Boxzilla. One day I will get them when they are offered at a sensible price, (Second Hand or Job Lot, or Overstocks)
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12 years 11 months
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It's great to see "old" guard bands like The ALLMAN BROS, THE BYRDS, CCR, AND PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND called out for great American Band even if CAPTAIN BEEFHEART is passed over. It gives my heart great joy to see PATTI SMITH GROUP, MEAT PUPPETS, YO LA TENGO, SONIC YOUTH, and DINOSAUR JR. called out as well.
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17 years
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Thank you, Direwulf for addressing something that aggravates me to no end. YES, Canada is in America!I get that common use is part of language and I know what people usually mean when they say, "American." Not sure why I can't just let it go but it bugs the hell out of me. We need another word to specify US American. Well, most people don't seem to need a new word...just my own hangup. So yeah, The Band and Neil, great American artists. I agree with Claney, best STUDIO American band is Steely Dan. Bob Dylan is right up there with the Dead for me even though he's a solo artist. I would also throw Los Lobos into the conversation although they're probably not among the true heavyweights. They're pretty damn American...AND from the US ;) I liked the Doors a lot as a teen, part of the interest was sparked by the very readable book, No One Here Gets Out Alive, but my opinion has waned significantly as I've aged. I like some of the songs but don't think all that much of Morrison as a singer or a writer. I thought I read somewhere that Jerry didn't like Morrison's manipulation of the crowd during their performances. Didn't Jerry refer to that as a "power trip" on Morrison's part?
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17 years 3 months
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They said exactly what I tried to say, "To sum up, plinking bad, no-plink '79 good.".79 is top notch in my book and I would really like to see a Dave's pick or mini box of 79 (no plink of course).
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10 years 2 months
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I'm pretty sure Nigel's accent is British. Wasn't Plinko that game on the Price Is Right, where the big round chips slide down the board bouncing off the pegs? I'd agree with the statement that there is no evidence of Keith's playing declining on any of the shows I have from '76 - '78, up to and including 12/31/78. There is actually some great stuff on that Closing of Winterland show (Ramble On Rose, Playing In The Band, Big River come to mind), but yeah, the problem with Keith in those years is that he was confined to playing tedious rhythm for large sections of the show (like 20 minutes of Not Fade Away), instead of improv with the rest of the band for huge stretches of experimental "let's see where this takes us" segments in the shows. If you listen to songs like Bertha, Promised Land, Wharf Rat, Cold Rain & Snow, etc - he's pretty much playing the same way he played them in '78 as he did in '72. The delta between a '72 and '78 show is in that the large stretches of improv don't exist in '78. It's a much more straight-forward 1,2 rhythm section that leaves little space for the talents of Keith Godchaux. It is what it is, that's how the folks in the band other than him wanted the music to sound. No need to be bitter about it, Keith's in a way better place now, playing with Jerry, Moon, Lennon, and Entwhistle. What a fucking band that must be!
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17 years 3 months
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Hey all, I just discovered that the 2015 "30 Days of the Dead" downloads are now streaming on Spotify. This makes me happy as I don't like downloads, but especially because it means the band actually gets some royalties from my listening of these free downloads they provided. It's wonderful hearing them all together like this - and I even resisted the temptation to listen to them chronologically - it's great hearing them in "random" order. The Dark Star holy crap. LoveJerry - I'm all for debates over things like whether Keith's playing declined. But I don't understand why you want to tell someone to "shut the f--k up" or to call someone an asshole. I just don't get it.
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13 years 4 months
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Rob Reiner is American. Do I get partial credit for that? Just having a little fun.. somebody has to keep this party alive or it might just turn into buzzkill Sunday. Help me people..
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17 years 3 months
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Hey Jim, I'm not funny, but I'll try to help you. Just not by being funny. I saw a list of "Best American bands" once which had the Jimi Hendrix Experience somewhere in the Top Five. Now that's pushing it... Question: You see three flies in the bathroom. How do you know which one is the Deadhead? Answer: The one on the pot.
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10 years 1 month
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One I always see is the citation of Keith only mimicking Jerry's lead in the later years. Is there any evidence of that? Keithfan - Nice post and from what I've heard, I would concur. There was some good discussion awhile back, and it was probably you, about how Mickey's return was the beginning of the end for Keith due to the change in sound not his own abilities, and I would likely agree. That aside, I welcome any posts from the 80s / 90s diehards, wish it didn't have to get down to personal insults, I love all the input besides that garbage. Please keep posting and hope everyone can stay respectful along the way. Me, I am just wrapping up the Playing > UJB > Morning Dew > UJB > Playing from the '73 Winterland set.Picked that one up early in my Dead listening (err..2014) from Mill Valley music (BJ Hunnicutt?) on Amazon..really cool, I see some verbiage online how they did the same sandwich elsewhere that year? Love the Butterfield Blues Band mentions too, I know I'm preaching to the choir but if you haven't heard their first album (and I'll lump in the 'Lost Elektra' sessions too) then you need to remedy that immediately yesterday. Also, there are no ignorant mules, only ignorant questions. Wait..
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9 years 5 months
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Don't have a quote on hand... but Im pretty sure that that info about Keith following the lead came from Jerry himself
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13 years 4 months
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I would treat it more like a failed relationship. Lets let them have their peace and give them all the respect they have earned. Brilliant musicians, brilliant band, add some demons and 800 lb gorilla's on peoples backs. Thank you Betty for taking such great notes.
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10 years 1 month
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Well said, Jim. Moving on, I know at least a handful won a 'golden ticket' in the 30 Trips set..has anyone redeemed and shared the details? Just curious. A little Elvis up on random now..I'll Remember You (not the Dylan song but I'll let it slide) with the Jordanaires, 1966. Not one I know, but always pretty. I got into Elvis but had no ambition to see Graceland before we ended up going. I was really surprised, enjoyed it immensely. Peter Guralnick's two part biography is a fantastic read, too.
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It's all been said. Jerry complained, but I've never heard any evidence of mimicry of the lead guitar lines (ironically, except by Brent sometimes). There was no significant "decline". He didn't plink. He probably got out at the right time, given the substance problems. I'll always regret not seeing them sooner, while Keith was still in the band. Actually, I didn't know about the personnel change until Brent walked out on stage in Portland, ME on his first tour. I was open minded and enjoyed many a show. But the 70s flavors will always be my faves. There's no accounting for it.
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9 years 6 months
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I get that Brent/80s shows can be tough to adjust to, but how anyone can have any problem with the 1979 30 trips show is tough for me to wrap my head around....that show smokes from beginning to end (and is probably the best show of the entire year)! Every sunday i load up my car with the shows that i'm going to be listening to during my long daily commute each morning. This week i have the 79, 83, & 85 shows from the box set, along with dicks picks 13 (may 81)....going to get my fill of Brent this week! on another note, i'm super excited for the 78 box set - placed my order this week and will be but a short couple of months before it arrives. life is good -
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14 years 7 months
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Should be interesting to get a glimpse of the packaging...It kind of seems like the smaller the box, the better the cd cases. Unless slip cases are preferred- and to me slip cases are kind of the Slugworth of Wonka's chocolate village. Oompa Loompa- that's obviously the best packaging- those little guys do it right. This Box is such a sweet score- and some masterwork behind the scenes to spring this one on us- Just when I thought it's getting tougher to surprise us.
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13 years 4 months
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Right on Zuck. I want an Umpah Lumpah... I am hoping for a smooth, high quality, defect free box.
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16 years 7 months
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Does anyone remember Dave mentioning a Pip Pen boxed set in one of his seaside chats? I hope that becomes a reality, maybe in September? I was listening to a show from '71 today where he was smoking on the harmonica during RR Blues. What are y'all favorite Pig songs that would need to be included in such a box? I was also thinking another cool idea for a boxed set would all the NYE shows. What would be the top 5-10 shows that y'all feel would need to be included? I too am excited for the current boxed set!! I have not been disappointed in any of the offerings so far. 30 Trips really opened my ears about about some of the underrepresented years. Another peaceful Sunday night....
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