Grateful Dead

Arrived safe and sound here in Cumberland. I only listened to a couple songs upon arrival but I hope to dig in this weekend. The box is similar in size to the Spring 77 masterpiece.

(For the most part) negative attitude/angst can't be gotten rid of by conscious effort. First: note how the clarity of a mirror is unstained by whatever it reflects; then: identify consciousness with clarity & angst with reflections. This way, negative attitudes dissolve on their own, as untainted clarity ceaselessly self-restores, nourishing its own self-KnowGlowing fruition : clear through mind-rind.Then, even as the sky is yellow & the sun is blue, self-liberated wakefulness shines clarity clear through.

While I wait for the box to arrive, I was just looking over the known list of Betty Board shows that weren't in the Vault, just to hazard a guess as to how future releases may shake out. Mind you, this list is by no means complete, as 7/1, 7/3, and 7/5/78 were not on it. I'm guessing these 3 shows (and others!) were from the stash of shows that had never been tapped into. The interesting thing is that most of them are continuous runs of shows, meaning that they all seem to be built to make into box sets. The obvious candidates are: Capitol Theatre 1971: 2/18, 2/19, 2/20, 2/21, 2/23, and 2/24. The second show has already been released, so maybe it would be omitted. This should be more than enough to supplement the multitrack recordings that may have been used in the making of Skullfuck. Berkeley 1972: 8/21, 8/22, 8/24, and 8/25. None of the Betty Boards are complete shows, but hopefully the other sets are already in the Vault from other soundboard sources. May 1977 (The Other One): 5/5, 5/7, 5/8, and 5/9/77. Throw in 5/4/77, which was already in the Vault and you have a wonderful 5 show set. I don't know anything about the status of 5/1 or 5/3, and 5/18 and 5/26 would remain the only shows from the month not released. I can't see them passing up at a chance to complete the entire month with a 9 show set (and bonus tracks from 5/22) if those shows are available as well (5/18 and 5/26 definitely are). Those 3 are the obvious ones for boxes. There's also several sets from March 1973, which if other pieces exist in the Vault, would make a fantastic 4th option, but I couldn't see it coming out before the above three. There are also the 4 shows from 4/5, 4/6, 4/7, and 4/8/71, which aren't the best of '71 (although I've always enjoyed 4/5 and 4/6). From '76, there are 6/10, 6/11, 6/14, and 6/15/76 that could supplement RT 4.5. What I don't think we'll see are the April 1978 shows (basically 4/6/78 through 4/16/78). There are some moments here, and even a good show or two, but nothing more. There's also 3-4 very notable shows that would do well as stand-alone-releases, with 5/26/73, 6/29/76, 2/26/77, and 10/2/77 coming to mind first. That's not to mention obvious stand-alone releases that would accompany any of the above boxes (2/18/71, 5/8/77, and a comp of the Berkeley shows). Finally, there is a boon of acoustic October 1980 sets. As good as these shows are, I can't see them coming out without the electric sets, which were mangled during the construction of Dead Set. Even a compilation of acoustic material seems overkill; the expanded Reckoning has been all I've ever needed in terms of 1980 acoustic Dead. Anyway, that's how I see the return of the Betty's shaking out. I'd be willing to bet that we'll see the May 1977 in time for the 40th anniversary of the shows. It makes perfect sense to experiment and "collaborate" with July 1978 first, see if it is profitable, and then do May 1977 on the anniversary. I'm guessing that the owners of the tapes, with whom Rhino is "collaborating" with, is gonna wanna see a nice chunk of change in return for the fabled May 1977 shows.

Actually I am surprised the Apple lossless version is only $100. If I lived overseas I would definitely save myself a lot of grief and go for that. The "high resolution" version is in theory higher fidelity than the CDs, so it makes sense it would go for a premium above the 16-bit product. If your German Shepherd can hear the difference, it might be worth the extra dough. I ordered the box this time but those days may be waning. There are way too many boxes around here!

The pricing is no different than anywhere else in the industry. Take some friendly advice, and let go of your negative attitude - it serves nobody but your high blood pressure doctor. I know there is a life for you out there without angst, you just need to want it. Sincerely, Dr. LoveJerry

192 kHz and not 96 kHz as described on order page. NICE. Downloaded last night and its transferring to my PONO now. Here we go ! Pretty jazzed. Sounds great so far. Enjoy the show(s)!

why would you do this? same price for the superior download as the actual product? what gives, they are selling air. why not just buy the product, download it at best speed and resell? kind of not right, I smell a rat. A rhino rat.

Dream on, Icecrmcnkd. Sad to say, my wife's (legally compulsory) medical insurance is the most expensive monthly bill we have to pay. Second most expensive is my medical insurance. Things like mortgage payments etc. are much cheaper than the compulsory medical insurance. Oh, and just to rub it in, after paying for the exorbitant medical insurance, we each have to pay the first 375 Euros of costs (for medicines etc.) each year. 2 x 375 Euros = $848. As I have said before, these days everyone is a thief and there is nothing that one can do about it.

That's when mine is due to be in my hands. What a sham.

A'hem...I mean...St. Louis? Why would I spin St. Louis tonight when it's OBVIOUSLY 5-13? C'mon man...;) whoops...my bad