30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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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

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February 22, 2016 - 7:18pm

#131

Sun King

Joined:
September 19, 2007

30 Trips

Now that both versions have sold out, and TPTB have said they will not sell them as individual cd's, I wonder how long until they will be sold individually as downloads. I'm certain it will happen.....
February 22, 2016 - 3:06pm

#132

Kayak Guy

Joined:
June 4, 2015

RE: Broken Boxes

I agree with Space on this, the more boxes that get cannibalized, the more valuable my complete box will be. As a collector I have learned to buy whatever dead.net offers the day it is announced and think about it later. This habit started with Dick's Pick 1, years before i got my first CD player for DP 4 to hear the Other One without a cut, and hasn't stopped yet. I sometimes buy 2 copies and open one, rip it and give it away to a friend, keeping the sealed one as my master. As Rhino moves to a more digital friendly distribution, I feel the number of limited edition CDs will get even tighter as they tweek the number needed to pay for the release and then be able to distribute digitally forever. To see this in action look at Robert Fripps DGMlive as a perfect example of commercial digital distribution of an artists archival releases. What is this ebay thing people talk about? ;)
February 22, 2016 - 2:23pm

#133

Born Cross Eye…

Joined:
August 25, 2008

@ reijo29: 1975 Trip - Harmonica player

That's Matt Kelly a friend of Weir's, later a member of Kingfish. Also he plays on Beat It On Down The Line. Low in the mix, bummer.
February 22, 2016 - 2:08pm

#134

Born Cross Eye…

Joined:
August 25, 2008

USB BOLT SOLD OUT!

YAHOOOOO! This edition of the 50th anniversary box FINALLY SOLD OUT!The last time I checked here and tried to buy 15 bolt USB's was Sunday 21 February 2016, I could not buy more than 11. It took some time but dead.net finally sold "every last one" There may be some returns, but essentially they're gone. I bought the 80 CD big box and I love it. Although I was familiar with most of the shows prior to this official release everything sounds like a new suprise. Since there was a delay with the USB package, I wish the 11/14/73 San Diego show was presented in it's correct playing order, as opposed to the CD version and that the Drums> Space on several shows did not have fades. That would have made this USB better than the CD version. Oh well. I now believe that GDP / Rhino know what they're doing. Kudos on a project done well!
February 22, 2016 - 11:51am

#135

reijo29

Joined:
June 18, 2012

1975 Harmonica Trip

Just made it to 1975. Did anyone notice the harmonica playing in the Music Never Stopped? The liner notes do not refer to anyone sitting in
February 22, 2016 - 5:25am

#136

hbob1995

Joined:
June 26, 2007

@Unklesam re: ebay

On your $200 profit you forgot: ebay & Paypal fees are approx. 10%. So your profit is now down to $90. Is it really worth it? You would have to create 30 ebay listings, and make numerous trips to the post office. I myself would not put that kind of effort into making $90. Rock on
February 21, 2016 - 9:00pm

#137

philledawg

Joined:
December 12, 2009

PURCHASING MUSIC WHILE IT IS AVAILABLE...

I will say no more than this...Sorry, Gotta do this up in CAPS! ;) 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN WAS AVAILABLE FOR WELL OVER 5 MONTHS @DEADNET. Shows, are not an excuse. Purchasing extra music, esp. if it's available for AMPLE time......OUT. ;)
February 21, 2016 - 12:54pm

#138

SPACEBROTHER

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Broken Boxes

Breaking up these boxes is a non-sequitur imho. I wouldn't do it because I'm not so era-centric to deny myself the enjoyment of something that was put together as a timeline project. On the other side of that, the more boxes that do get cannibalized will only make the complete sets more valuable, if you're into commodities. If you purchase a show from the box that happens to have a bad disc, good luck getting that replaced.
February 21, 2016 - 10:12am

#139

unkle sam

Joined:
October 3, 2008

limited, collectors items, making profit

There are a lot of people who have always profited from the grateful dead. Jerry didn't mind, look at the parking lots in most dead shows, full of people who made a living from selling stuff to kind folks related to the band and band members. There will always be a demand for these great recordings, limited or not, there will and is a way for the masses to get these shows, if not from a friend via a cdr, then from ebay. There are a lot more people out there nowdays who do buy and sell just for profit on ebay, and why not? Where are you going to get such a great return for your initial investment? Breaking up the boxes and selling each show for, say, 30 bucks, that's a quick (within a week) profit of 200 bucks. Where else are you going to make that kinda of cash for sitting infront of your computer and posting shows? Seriously, if one had the money, could buy up as many as you could afford, hold them for 6 months until sold out, then put them up at twice what you paid, there is no where else anywhere that you are going to get that much return for an investment so fast, nowhere, certainly not the stock market. I know several people who have been doing the resale thing for a few years, first with old lp's that they acquired via estate sales, garage sales or record store buyouts or when a lot of folks "upgraded" to cd's back in the 90's. I for one did not do that, I kept my old records and bought the cd's to play, but that's another story cause cd's don't sound as good as lp's in my opinion. They still do it and with the limited editions of most music nowdays, it's money in the bank, especially dead music. There is money to be made from these kind of investments, one person I know does only that now, puts all up on ebay and makes a tidy profit, all from doing what they love, finding old classics and first issues of old records, clean them up a bit and resale. It's a good thing, a lot of these old original recordings would end up in a dumpster if not for what they do and I salute them for that, they are like the American pickers of the music world. Back in the day of 1.99 records, I would spend hours looking thru stacks of lp's, it was a blast. Next time you got a minute, check out ebay, look what they are getting for old tshirts and old bootleg cds and lps, first press cd's and out of print recordings, there is a gold mine out there in peoples garages and attics and most don't know what they have as far as music recordings and rock and roll memorabilia goes. Back in the day a lot of dead memorabilia was free, but as we all know, there aren't too many free rides left in this country. 4-9-91 is worth a relisten, that second set is smoking with a great foolish heart going into drums and a great TOO>wharf rat coming out of space. Not too bad for an added on show as the first 2 sold out in minutes, so they added the 9th.
February 20, 2016 - 1:03pm

#140

Spoyball

Joined:
April 13, 2015

Broken boxes

I have a few questions on the individual shows being sold on eBay. Does a seller make more selling shows individually? Seems like a lot of work if it's 30 different buyers at once too. By the amount of boxes being broken does that make the 30 trips box unbroken more valuable, being that there's less than 6,500 then? I have no problems with the secondary market, I would have never heard Pure Jerry full series without secondary market. I personally have no desire to sell my 30 Trips but my wife asked if I'd ever sell it and it was a easy no, but my only saving grace with my wife is I tell her my constant GD purchases will always hold value. I recently saw a 30 trips box start at $650 and sold for $1,080. That's holding value. To me, $300 profit isn't worth the " it's all about the music" because I like the the extras, my wife asked about me selling Winterland 73' box my reasoning was it has the lil good ol grateful dead pin, no way I'm selling.

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

Anniversary

Today is ours... or I should say.. it's the anniversary of the '68 show from this box. Wish I could celebrate.

In Donna's defense

Exhibit A: Comes A Time, 5/12/1977 (May 77 box set). Sublime harmony by Donna backing up Jerry's soulful singing (and playing). Interestingly, this selection falls within a Playin' sandwich, and her 2 "wails" sound just fine. She definitely had her moments, both good and not so hot. Edit: I noticed several folks started doing this "edit" thing a few weeks ago, as opposed to actually editing the original text. I just didn't want to feel left out.

Still waiting in ATL

I guess I feel a little better that I'm not the only one dealing with this. Called customer service last week - nice people, but totally clueless about the situation. Emailed both dead.net customer service and Dr. Rhino last Friday, both wrote back that they're looking into the delay. Still no word on what the hold up is. I love that folks in Europe and Australia have already gotten theirs, but it's driving me crazy that we're still waiting here, completely in the dark. On the bright side, the frustration has led me to finally join up and create a username, just to be able to vent. Thanks.

Thanks Donna

I would like to comment on how much Donna's singing went so well with the Dead at the time. Donna was no Joplin but neither was the Dead. One exception her final show she sang a note way off key I don't know what she was loaded on.

The Wait

Mags, thanks for the info. I just called customer service and was told that international orders shipped first. She then told me that domestic were being shipped in the order that they were originally ordered. I mentioned that there were several southerners on the forum who had not received theirs and she said "well maybe they are shipping them geographically". I then asked if she knew when the total order was set to be completed and she said that they weren't even supposed to ship until Halloween and that the boxes that have already gone out went out early (even though this is contrary to the info we received saying that shipping was scheduled for mid October).

Where's my box?!?!

Just called Dead.net minutes ago and was told something completely different than you were yonderdawg. I was, however, also told that they were shipped in the order in which they were purchased, which isn't true - I ordered mine on the first day. I was also told this time that the delay had to do with packaging the item for shipping. This hasn't happened before with any of the other releases and it is getting ridiculous. Just glad that I have already received a bill from the credit card company for payment on this thing when I don't even have it.

2-Track

Yeah, I know that after the tape is recorded, the 2-track mix is baked in -- like ingredients in a cake -- no way to unbake it and put in fewer eggs. I was talking about WHILE it was being recorded Kidd Candelario or whomever could have lowered her vocal signal. Surely they heard the results, but never compensated on subsequent shows.

Boxless in ATL

I ordered within an hour or two of receiving the email announcement but, yet, I also do not have a box in ATL. Not even an email saying that there is Help On The Way (in the form of a 30-year box set).But, a friend in MI got his yesterday. Guess they're busy stuffing miracles in mine......

Donna and the Scene

I hate to go all geezer on the forum, but back in the day Donna was referred to in the most reverent and respectful tone from the MA,NJ and NY heads I was around. It seemed to me Donna's presence on stage and status in the band humanized what appeared to be a bunch of drug addled crazies. With Donna came a whole bunch of hippie chicks, something I didn't hear allot of complaints about. In some ways I think the family thing started with Donna showing up on the scene. I have the greatest respect for her, putting up with inadequate vocal monitor systems of the day, and the grinding touring machine of the Grateful Dead. I assure you Donna has never "ruined" one second of music for me, and absolutely never will. The Grateful Dead has accepted me as I am, I do the same for them.

I like the Donna years. I

I like the Donna years. I have no problem with her.Think she was great in the JGB.

Donna and replacement disc

I have to admit that my favorite period of the whole long strange trip were the years that Keith and Donna were with the group, especially before the two year hiatus mid-decade. Was she the right fit for the group? Not really. Was she a great singer? No, but she did have the ability to sing, given the right songs. Anyone who recorded with Elvis at least has to be able to carry a note or two. Did she hit every song pitch perfect every night? No, but, hey, Bobby still has issues remembering the words to "Truckin' ". I'm just grateful (no pun intended.....well, maybe) for the contributions she made to the band over their 50+ years of making the best damn music anywhere. I look at the band's music, and I see a wine cellar of vintage products. Some age better than others, some are a little drier, some a little sweeter. Everyone has different tastes, and I can respect that. One of the guiding lights of being a Deadhead is respect for each other, even if we have different concepts and opinions. One another note, I got a duplicate disc 1 on my '78 Providence set. I just got an email from Dr. Rhino that a replacement was being sent today. Gotta love the Dead......

My 2¢

So now that I've joined this forum, guess I'll make some posts.Question: Why is Charlie Miller better than David Lemieux? Answer: Because he understands the concept of a seamless transition between discs. Seriously David, these aren't cassette tapes. Not trying to piss anyone off, just trying to get David to stop doing overlap transitions. It just sounds better.

appreciation...

Donna totally rocked it in Egypt, and was in beautiful song. I love the Keith and Donna years!

Donna

Donna brought the family vibe, listen to pretty much any Mississippi Half Step. I really enjoy most of her vocals. There have been a couple times where I thought her volume was too much, but other than that I don't have any complaints I can think of at the moment.

Donna, Cher

Not sure what happened to my attempted post earlier, but to g1u2i3 & lowspark ~ give 9/18/74 a spin from the new box. Donna's spot-on all night, both in pitch and in knowing where she is in the mix (raucously in key on BIODTL, nice and soft on Ship of Fools), and spaces out just right on Scarlet. ivhs72, thanks for the historical perspective on her aesthetic. In any event, she was indispensable (like it or not) once Phil stopped singing high harmony. As someone said, she was really nice on Cassidy & Looks Like Rain in the later 70s, and generally nailed the Let It Grow choruses with Bob. "Lights Went Out In Georgia" was offered to Cher first?? That would totally have been another "Gypsies Tramps & Thieves" for her, I can hear it in my mind's ear....

Donna

I get it man.. I don't expect my distaste for some of her contributions to be popular on a forum of people who are here because of their enthusiasm for everything Grateful Dead. It's just my personal taste and what sounds good to my ears. There are probably elements/phases/eras for nearly every band or artist I love which I don't care for. Religious Dylan? No thanks. Recent Neil Young? No thanks. Rolling Stones Undercover and Dirty Work? Don't love it. There are classic Van Morrison albums I don't care for... and I freaking LOVE Van the Man. And on and on. But other people might be enthusiastic enough about any of those artists to think everything they put out or did was golden. And that's fine. It's also fine to not like some of Donna's vocals... or to love ALL of Donna's vocals. That's what forums are about.. expressing your thoughts and opinions. Just so you aren't attacking someone personally for their views.

Side Notes

Coincidentally... I actually AM listening to the first disc of the '74 show right now before I get ready for work. Funny. Also, I do want to reiterate that there are some of those examples I agree with. Sometimes Donna sounds just fine or even enhances a song. BUT.. I absolutely do not enjoy her singing on Playing In The Band or Scarlet Begonias.. And I'm entitled to that.

RE: My 2¢

It would be a wonderful thing if the CDs from Rhino came seamless, hopefully they will go the seamless route in the future.Until then we have to fix our own backups by deleting the overlap. CM was also slow to come around the seamless transition until about 2007 when someone started "fixing" his seeds as soon as he'd seed them, by making them seamless and CM's name got bumped from the new SHNID by Tetzelli, who made 2nd sets seamless but messed up the mastering in doing so.

the list grows

I have been listening to a lot of shows but it is still overwhelming. These shows are rising to the top of my list: 1991 - 9/10, Madison Square Garden, NY, NY - Branford. Nuff Said. 1972 - 9/24, Palace Theater, Waterbury, CT - great all-around show 1979 - 10/27, Cape Cod Coliseum, South Yarmouth, MA - Impeccable show 1967 - 11/10, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA - even hotter than '66 1966 - 7/3, Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA - still cant get over how hot this show is 1982 - 7/31, Manor Downs, Austin, TX - if the hiss wasn't there this would be incredible what do your lists look like?

I apologize

I apologize to lowspark75. I'm in a foul mood, and could have stated my thoughts better. I did the same thing at work today also, I am so gol-darn grouchy as I age. I need to follow my own advice, and respect my fellow travelers. Again, I apologize for my remarks.

It's totally fine, Zooks

I wasn't getting flustered. I just wanted to make sure I was understood. And I listed only examples of things I DON'T like by certain artists. Other examples where I am actually on the supportive side would include.. Pink Floyd: There are many who think they were crap after Roger Waters left. I strongly disagree and enjoy the albums released in his absence. The Beatles: Many consider John Lennon the most important Beatle and view McCartney as a dick. I also strongly disagree there. I consider both Lennon and McCartney's contributions equally important and enjoyable and they both had their egos.. then you'll also get the George Harrison supporters. It's great that the Dead had a long and varied enough career to nurture these differing opinions of the different elements that came and went with their music and performances. Can't really say the same for... The Doors.. for example. Unfortunately.

lowspark

You're not entitled. If you don't agree with the majority, you're WRONG, man! Honestly, I thought I was in the minority enjoying Donna. And she really has grown on me in recent years ~ during my show-going years, I really didn't want to know.... As for recent Neil.... Dude. If the current Promise of the Real tour hasn't hit your town yet; will hit your town yet; you haven't bought tickets; and you still can.... GO. This tour is one of the great ones...however you feel about Monsanto Years (I think it rocks, but no matter). Didn't see Neil in the 70's, but this was the 9th time since mid-80s(including four times with Crazy Horse)...and I didn't remotely expect to be saying this: this was the most powerful Neil performance I've ever seen. Tremendous setlist, but that alone doesn't tell the tale. He out-Welded Weld with the finale, Love and Only Love, blowing past mere extended feedback outros into much more dynamic Dead & Floyd territory (he even did a little Crazy Diamond riff at one point). Jaw-dropping, especially from a 70-year-old! Ok, gush over. Back to the GO'GD.

Still going in order, on '74

Starting to get more tempting to pull stuff I was really looking forward to (MSG 87 and 91, Cape Cod) or to start pulling discs with the same songs on them from different years to do comparisons. Still, I think the '67 Shrine and '69 Dream Bowl are still my favorites so far. '72 also really good and so is '68, I wish there was more than 1 disc! Hot = '66, '74. Smokin' = '70, '73. Incendiary = '67, '69, '72, '68. Hard to call '73 and '74 incendiary, just a bit more laid back and swing to them, for most of the tunes, in any case. Still nice. Wish that '74 didn't have the two songs with the vocal drops, was psyched for Loose Lucy. :( Edit: I get where people are coming from on Donna, but you just have to embrace it. It's not like Jerry or Phil haven't had some vocal issues. Lot's of sweet stuff from her: Weather Report, Sunrise, St. Stephen, Cosmic Charlie, Passenger, Dancin', Looks Like Rain, etc. And no one can ruin Scarlet Begonias when the Dead are playing it. ;) EMBRACE THE DONNA! Screams and all.

Edit : Donna is sweet, top notch

and I would take her over any one of you guys :) Lol 5.4.77 - "Looks Like Rain" !! the Dave's Picks 15 is primo Donna and is sweet on Jack Straw among the many.

Lowspark support

Yes I do agree, especially about playing ITB...and a lot of Scarlet begonias, especially in DP7 is quite a nightmare. However Donna adds nice harmonies on slow songs (row jimmy-Cassidy-Looks Like Rain...)I enjoy very much Sunrise on DP3 and the may77 Boxset. Fortunately she improves a lot after Hiatus and her best contribution stay with the JGband (77-78)

Did Mr. Norman get some new AUDIO EQUIPMENT......

I am up to 1975 and I am amazed at the "CRISPY " beautiful "MELTING BUTTER" sound of these shows so far. I started in at 1966 and each show is just so Exquisite. Between my Sennheiser headphones and plain Jane HONDA FACTORY radio I just keep getting blown away by how great these shows are sounding. There is definitely a difference I am hearing than any other past recordings...anyone else feeling that???... Or hearing that??

Florida Delivery

Sorry to hear so many in the south are still box less...I live in the Orlando, FL area and received mine on October 12th...keep the faith brothers...

Re: K. Brandon & J. Norman

I have been very pleased w/ his work lately.. but I am not up to the '80's shows yet. If I were to wager.. I think he is staring to become a deadhead. I have this image of his progression: .. when he first started engineering and mastering GD, Steely Dan was in the car CD Player and he was the geek in the sound booth wearing the kaki's and polo shirt, glasses and a pocket protector. The pocket protector was the first to go moments after his first Playin' in the Band. Years go by.. he drops the loafers for comfy shoes, unbuttons the polo. A little facial scruff fills in. By E-72 he show's up in a t-shirt, shorts and Birkenstocks and he sometimes spends days in the studio without a break. By Spring '90 TOO he's let his hair grow out, he's sporting a raggedy die often for several days at a stretch. By the time he began mixing Boxzilla a never ending drum circle has formed outside the studio. And his mixes do seem to have a special sound. Its possible I have a couple details wrong.. but it sounds plausible, doesn't it? Go back and listen to Dicks Picks 3 and compare it to one of the modern releases from the same year (Spring '77 comes to mind). I think he has improved also. Lets see if I still feel this way after '82.

Playing in the Band

A huge Thanks to drshakedown74...We swapped the tickets/passes from 30 Trips and he returned the favor in an incredibly generous way- A concert ticket to see David Gilmour at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre in April. Amazing kind gesture on his part- hope this kindness finds a way back to him. Thanks again.

Donna

Love her. When she would slowly and rhythmically groove her way to the microphone, smilingly looking down at us, the Grateful Dead idiot fan base, and prepare herself to wail the return of the Playin In The Band theme, well, well, it was really good. Seriously good.

Re: Dr. Shakedown

My ticket was Magoo's Pizza Parlor, backstage pass Gaza Egypt. Wanna trade and got anything near ZuckFun? Just kidding.. wow.. I'm not particularly religious, but that's a miracle worthy of canonization. Saint Shake. Has a nice ring to it. Holy cow, congrats Zuck, thanks Dr. Shake. Those are hot tickets, Gilmour puts on an incredible show, and this will surely be his last trip to the states.

Donna support

I hear both sides of the Donna thing. She could lighten things sweetly, or come in too hard. I agree with Jason, these guys were weak vocally, and blew things in front of us on a regular basis. Their messin up was one of their fun qualities. I cut her some slack like I did for everyone else in the band. And I must speak up for her presence in the band. I enjoyed how she added a feminine element to the stage, so it wasn't just the guys. I do think she really could do sweet harmony with Bobby, and she could rock it with him, too in their Sunshine Daydream duets. I started with 1975, kinda loose show with some nice jammin. Next up was 1982, this is a grate show, I wish it wasn't so muddy and thin, the sound improves in CD3. Come on, UJB>Truckin'>Dew? Now I'm starting from the beginning, listening to 1965. First impression: man Billy was quite the drummer early on... Thanks to all for your great comments!

On vocals, MIIIIIZ Donna Jean Godchaux

I love Donna, but I understand your point, Lowspark. When I first started listening to tapes (mostly 80s shows) I didn't like her much at all but eventually, after the light came on and I "got" 70s GD, I came to accept her. At first it was a case of classical conditioning; the years that excited me most included Donna so I got used to her. Eventually I came to LOVE Donna and even now when I listen to the post Godchaux era, I really miss her contributions on most songs she sang. MNS, Half Step (acrosssss the Rio GrandiOOOH!), LIG, Estimated, Scarlet, Cassidy...well, pretty much all of them. Maybe someday you'll change your mind, Lowspark. But if not you're certainly entitled to your opinion. And I would highly recommend DiP14--she was on maternity leave.

Re: Donna Jean

I always liked Donna, but I also know how an off key screech when I hear one. Still I chose to notice her good harmonies and touch. I used to find myself defending her to friends who were skeptical. I don't anymore, I think people have already made up their minds.. minds can change but that's not my place. She was an integral part of the band during what many call their golden era. There's something to be said for that. Worthy is a good word. Yea.. she flubbed up many a good song, but who didn't in this band. Funny how as fans we are both infinitely forgiving yet relentlessly critical. Not the best example of yin and yang. I bet jerry flubbed up more shows than she did. We forgave him.

Cal Expo '86....

....I played it back to back....yeah, I said it.... ....regarding Donna, I prefer the 76-79 version over the 72-75 version hands down. Both in voice, and in appearance. I believe the JGB experience benefited her grately....Disco Donna was quite the stunner.... ...MIIIIIZ Donna Jean Godchaux. Shout out to Grahams band intro before the Great American Music Hall show. Yeah rdevil, I caught that....

Donna . . . again

lowspark75, right on with so many of your comments. I share many of your perspectives. And I'm assuming your username is a reference to Traffic's "Low Spark of High-heeled Boys"? Great band. One of my favorites. My problem is that I have too many favorites. Anyway, I just signed on and caught up on all the "Donna" comments after I posted this afternoon. I had to respond before I hit the sack, and fly to Tulsa, OK for business, in the morning. It's good to read so many different perspectives on how people see Donna. Especially, the people that experienced the 70's Dead in real time. Something I did not. Even though my favorite studio album is "Aoxomoxoa", followed by "Anthem of The Sun", the Keith and Donna period is, ironically, my favorite GD period. That period is also my favorite band "lineup". To clarify, there are shows I actually enjoy and appreciate what she adds to the music. I'm not saying she wasn't capable of it, she just didn't manifest it often enough for me, a lover of great music and musicianship. I totally appreciate and actually agree with the "girl in the band", "family" and "humanizing" perspective and the hippie chicks comments. I dig that, totally. And God knows I've loved me a hippie chick or two, three, four . . . oh . . . excuse me . . . where was I. Oh, right!. Accepting the Dead as they are (were), like Deacon Zooks said, is totally understandable as a fan and lover of this band. I love this band. It's that very sentiment that allows me to still enjoy Jerry when he sings off key. For a moment, though, hitting the pause button on . . . peace and love . . . and hugs and kisses. I am speaking purely objectively and strictly on a musical level. Many of the praises for Donna were non-musical comments. Musically, though, I'm sorry folks, Donna does not possess, in equal measures, what any of the other members did. Not anywhere near the rest of the band. Not even in the same stratosphere. If you think otherwise, I have to wonder how you measure high level musicianship. Jerry, Bobby, Bill, Phil, Mickey . . . all absolute geniuses in their respective instruments. Truly unique players. Donna? There is no way, anyone here, in all seriousness, can extend that to her. However, I will continue to accept Donna in the band, because she was. My comment about removing her from GD history, vocally, was probably a little strong. You know, I love what she did on the Terrapin Station album. And couldn't imagine that album without her. Though, I f*cking hate the studio version of "Dancing in The Streets" and have skipped it every single time I've listened to it since the first time I heard it 35 years ago. Not her fault. Terrible disco infected arrangement. "Dancin' . . . Dancin' . . . Dancin' in the streets." Anyway, let peace and love . . . and hugs and kisses, resume. Good night, all! :-)

Donna again

Sometimes I support Donna but most of the time I do not support it. For me it is not a singer, she does not have the qualities. She screams, she bellowed, she did not know to puts her voice. She was part of the group remains a mystery to me too. But, unlike low spark 75, I appreciate the singing of Donna on Scarlet, including the fabulous version of the May 8, 1977. She did give a little extra color to the music during the 70s, and I got used. I know that the Dead were fully accepted it or you do not accept.

re: Donna - St Stephen - post Hiatus

I hear everyone's comments on the wail during PITB, could be cringeworthy at times. But what she brought to St Stephen when they brought it back was beautiful.

Home from Work

@antonjo - I think Neil came and went through Portland before I even knew it was happening. I saw his own posts on Facebook saying "Thanks Portland". I didn't even know he was coming. @zuckfun - David Gilmour?!? That's awesome!!!! Totally jealous. I still need to get ahold of his new album. I listened to the rest of '74 and all of '75 at work tonight. The '74 Loose Lucy did sound super funky and cool. It is too bad about the vocal glitch. '75 was fairly impressive. I don't know why, but I didn't expect much from this show. The Big River was smoking' and It Must Have Been The Roses was possibly my favorite version I've heard so far. With the exception of 1977, I intend to only have one show per year on my phone. It only has so much room. After I get through the '70s Trips, I am going to have to decide which shows make the cut. Like a lot of people are saying, I think DaP13 might end up being my '74 show. Hard to say.. but I don't think the '74 Trip is going to win that one. But for me, the only choices are DaP9, DaP13, DP12, or the 30 Trips selection. Those are the only '74 shows I own. I'll have to give the latter another spin before deciding... but many of you probably know what the obvious choice will be. '72 will probably be a tough call as well... since I don't have ANY of the E72 shows.. *GASP* I need to pick up one and get started on my ala cart E72 collecting. Which one should be first? The first one? Sorry... still high from all of the caffein required to get through 3rd shift behind the wheel.... lots of random info above.

Re: LowSpark - '72

No E-72. Another Travesty! I think the best way to get through E-72 is, surprise, sequentially. Dr. Keithfan will have lots to say on what, where, how, what shows, mood stimulus, etc. Trust him.. he is a doctor. That being said.. if you don't want to put the scratch into getting the whole set at once and you want to cherry pick shows.. I have one suggestion. Don't just dive into 4/8 first, savor that one for a couple to a half dozen shows. Certainly buy it, but don't just dive right in, especially if you have a heart condition. Its a gem. I will say one more thing. Don't be surprised if this tour ultimately gets you, I have seen several try and piecemeal their way through the tour only to ultimately bite the bullet and get every show. Its cheaper to just get them all, and yes.. we are an excessive bunch of OCD freaks. I think Dr. Keithfan has an accounting on how much it costs both piecemeal and as a whole package. You save more than you think..

Donna? Seriously...

Is Donna wailing really worse than Bob's screaming on Estimated, or his out of tune slide playing?I don't think so...

Neil...Donna

I first saw Neil when I was 14 at MSG for the Trans tour. He was solo and blew me away. Last saw him at Carnegie Hall also solo, amazing. His all out rock shows with the Horse & others are really special. After reading these posts I feel bad I passed on his recent east coast summer visit. Donna works for me. Even the wails are fine. And yes I much rather take that then Bob's slide playing circa 78. Sounds like an amateur player on those shows. The other thing Dead related that sometimes bothers me is the overuse of Midi and those plinky Brent processed keyboard sounds. But warts & all I can live with most any Dead. I guess 68-77 Dead is about as perfect as it gets for me

Donna

I'm a fan of Donna, PITB re-entry notwithstanding. In fact, it still leaves a foul taste in my mouth that she was not included in some way for the Fare Thee Well performances. She was at Jerry's 70th TRI celebration, why not Fare Thee Well?

Re: Segan63

yea I get what you are saying.. I'm still a little miffed I lost the Bolo guess the special guests at Fare Thee Well original artwork giveaway.. I had Donna as a shoe in for a special guest, along with Grisman, David Nelson and I forget who else. I was sure I won that one. Donna is an interesting topic. I will say this, when I play GD to a general crowd (not on the bus people), if its in the '70's, Donna's screeches get the raised eyebrow, if its in the 80's its Jerry's cameled, scratchy voice that gets the raised eyebrow. To me, the bad slide guitar is what gets me to hit skip. Go figure. Since I just slammed Bobby, I will follow w/ a compliment. My favorite Bob work is his early to mid 70's contributions where he plays his wide body Gibsons, notably his ES 335 and SG. He got such a wonderful tone back then and it took me years to figure out how integral it was to their sound in those days. He wrote his best songs in that period to, in my humble opinion. Not a fan of the amateur slide guitar hour though, hope that's fair.

Gary Farseer Congats....

no problem , i sometimes have troubles to decide what`s real and what´s not.For example i never have been to a Dead-show as i live in Austrai , started my " Dead-habit " at the age of 12 back in 81 and unfortunately had no chance to catch them on stage in the early nineties in Germany or France. Nowadays it would be easy but yep.... i close my eyes while listening to the 74 show which indeed has a very european touch an i am there , i do relive that gig.......

Donna.....

is important for the mellow flow oft the 70ies , there is a female quality that was lost afterwards though it was not easy for here to sing with the boys - some voices harmonice and some do not , i know this quite well as i play and sing myself.

Vocals

I find most people I play Lovelight around start being not down when Bob does the falsetto "shine on me" hahaha much more than the PITB screams.

I Think It's Time...

...to let the Donna Debate go. Obviously we all have some opinion about what she brought to, or took away from, the shows, but the fact of the matter is, for better or worse, she was there and will always be there. She had her great moments and her not-so-great moments, just like, as several have observed, the rest of the boys. (Personally, Bobby's screaming on LLR and Lovelight is on par with Donna's PITB). All in all, her good notes outweigh her not-so-good notes. No doubt there are more interesting debates to be had about topics that the box compiler(s) had arguable control over...such as the omission of shows with certain tunes (Easy Wind, Cosmic Charlie, West LA Fadeway...) versus the inclusion of shows with numerous repeats (Hell in a Bucket, TOO, NFA...).

Donna

is great.

scream dream

Sorry, bros 'n sisters, but being an 80's kid, I LOVE the Bobby screams on Estimated, Lovelight, Sailor/Saint, etc, etc. Listen to Estimated from Hampton 3-20-86 ~ that scream-scatting is a work of art. (His screaming on It's All Over Now in the first set, less so, I'll concede ; ) I was thrilled 2nd night Santa Clara when he screamed the big "HEY"s on the Sugar Mag finale till he had nothing left. Would've loved a Donna appearance there. reijo29, I remember that Trans tour, but couldn't convince my older brother to get us tickets -- so I had to wait till '86, with Crazy Horse. (They did play Sample & Hold that time, though.) lowspark, I spaced that you're in Portland. So am I. Maybe we should organize a listening party for one of these trips around the sun. And, yes, Neil did kind of sneak into town. Once in awhile, those otherwise annoying Ticketmaster e-mails land me a hot tip.

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