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    clayv
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    Pacific Northwest ’73-’74: The Complete Recordings Boxed Set

    WHAT'S INSIDE:
    6 Complete Shows On 19 Discs
    • 6/22/73 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.
    • 6/24/73 Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
    • 6/26/73 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA
    • 5/17/74 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.
    • 5/19/74 Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
    • 5/21/74 Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
    Mastered in HDCD from the original master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering
    Masters transferred and restored by Plangent Processes
    Original Art by First Nations Artist Roy Henry Vickers
    Photos by Richie Pechner
    Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000

    Includes an immediate digital download of "Eyes Of The World (P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada 5/17/74)"

    "We were in the Pacific Northwest...between somewhere in Washington and some other where in Oregon. The road took us to the lip on a ridge, from where we could see around us for many miles in all directions … It was breathtaking to behold, but as we watched, we had a firm realization that we were witnessing something even more beautiful than our eyes could ever take in … Life causes life. Heaven and Earth dance in this way endlessly, and their child is the forest. And so there we were, epiphanously watching that grandest and most glorious dance of life—of which we are just a tiny part—awed by a magnificence without beginning, without end..."

    Bob Weir, “Sell Headwaters—Everyone Wins,” San Francisco Chronicle

    The Pacific Northwest offers up a rich feast of land, sky, and water. It is ripe with influences, abundant with symbols, deep and spirited. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the Grateful Dead played some of their most inspired shows on these fertile grounds. It does, however, sometimes take a breath for the elements to re-align years later. It seems for us, they finally have and we are able to present not just a glimpse of the band's extraordinary exploratory tour through the region, but a two-tour bounty as the PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS.

    For PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, we've paired two short runs made up of six previously unreleased shows - P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C. (6/22/73); Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR (6/24/73); Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA (6/26/73); P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada (5/17/74); Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR (5/19/74); and Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (5/21/74). Each show has been mastered in HDCD from the original master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. The transfers from the masters were transferred and restored by Plangent Processes, further ensuring that this is the best, most authentic that these shows have ever sounded.

    PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS comes in an ornate box created by Canada’s preeminent First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers (more on this tremendous artist soon). To complement the music, the set also includes a 64-page book with an in-depth essay by Grateful Dead scholar Nicholas G. Meriwether and photos by Richie Pechner.

    Due September 7th, this release is limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively from dead.net. You'll want to grab a copy while you can and sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks.

    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. You can pre-order it now too.

    Get it while you can.

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  • marye
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    Tim and others with disc issues
    if you're still having trouble, send me a PM and I'll pass it to the Doc.
  • TimP
    Joined:
    I too have had 2 issues with…

    I too have had 2 issues with this box set. 1 - my booklet had been bent during packing and I have 1 defective disc Disc 17 (disc 1 of 5/21/73 Seatle. Big scuff mark and skips on track 9 and fails to pick up on track 10 /11 / 12 after skipping.)

    Got the standard response from Rhino - filled in the forms and nothing back from them yet. Both complaints now over 30 day s outstanding - any advice on how to proceed.

    BTW -- a lot of fantastic music on this set -- but also a lot of recordng issues -- most of which have been already mentioned. This too is making me question whether to buy complete boxes in future ??

  • Apemantus
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    The Pacific Northwest ’73-’74 big box

    My big beautiful insane Pacific Northwest box arrived on Thursday afternoon, September 13. I opened it up, examined it for damage or weirdness. I found lots of weirdness, but no damage at all. It was (and is) perfect, but I was busy so I put it away on my living room bookshelf. Yesterday, November 4, I took the box into my office and started ripping and listening to the CDs. This is astonishingly beautiful music. The playing is intense, inspired, and precise, and the clarity and detail of the recordings (as rendered here) are breathtaking. There are some flaws scattered about – dropouts and balance issues – but for me these flaws do not detract at all from the immensity of the greatness of this box of beauty. These are among the greatest Grateful Dead recordings I’ve ever heard (and I have 288 hours of Grateful Dead recordings ripped so far). So thank you for this fantastic effort. A lot of work and care went into this, obviously. Similar to some of the Mosaic boxes of classic jazz recordings, this one is for people who want to hear all of it, not just curated highlights.

  • mbarilla
    Joined:
    MARYE - defective discs

    Hey I just saw your message in thread, I think I got it all sorted out with email to customer service. They replied with replacement disc on the way.

    I appreciate the speedy response and help.

    Time to rock out !!!

    Spinning some 1985 Grateful Dead

  • MDJim
    Joined:
    Re: Thinning Community

    I see this too, but there is a silver lining.. I am seeing lots of new folks step up and post positive comments, reviews and keep the vibe alive. The yang is there too.. a bit of complaining and the blem CDs and manufacturing error rate provides more than a valid reason to complain. I would consider providing CDs that play a core competency.

    Still we get some good with the bad and new inputs and perspective is a good thing. I hope we didn't lose more than we gained.. there are a few I have not seen in a while that consistently added to the mix.

  • Charlie3
    Joined:
    Thinning Community

    I would agree with the points below, but it may also be the fact that there are multiple recent release threads - e.g. this PNW box thread, the DaP 28 thread and the DaP 2019 Subscription threads. Who knows, hopefully it will pick up again.

  • MDJim
    Joined:
    True

    I think Reijo has a point.

    Drifters, I see your point too. But I like that show and am still glad it got released. The China>Rider, WRS and Jam after Truckin' are very nice and I really like the young Peggy-O's which are somewhat special and rare. The fade is on the source recording so the choice is whether to release the show or not.. all the remastering in the world is not going to bring the vocals up in the mix.

    Dicks Picks used to place a caveat emptor on the back of the jewel case regarding sonic anomalies and the ravages of time, etc. The other point to make about some of these box sets is the tendency to make something very good and slip in a show that might not have made it as a Dave's Picks. Sort of slip one in on is. I don't think this is the case for this box, but 30 Trips had a couple of these. For $30 a show, and being a bit of a completist myself I am ok with it.. but I see the other side of things. I am sympathetic but happy to see these old tapes get special treatment. I appreciate the efforts they went through making this sound as good as it can.. but that's just me. One opinion.

    Love the latest Dave's Picks.. but a topic for another thread. Talk about exceeding expectations...

  • reijo29
    Joined:
    hate to complain but...

    They should really put these chats right under the product page the way it was previously. There are now less and less posts cause it's simply a headache to find these threads. I think the community is thinning out because of this. Steve Hoffman Forums is a great alternative community for GD superfans who want to chat up these releases or anything else.

  • Drifter's Escape
    Joined:
    Mix issues

    I totally understand there may be sound issues with recording sources that are 30-50 years old. Recently we've had the heavy 'reverb' on the GSTL from '77, the splice in Dave's 27, Eyes of the World, which seemed to enrage so many, and now the various issues with PNW. Bill and Donna are high in the mix at times and some say Jerry is too low.
    My complaint is on disc 1 of Portland '74. From about halfway into Sugaree thru El Paso the vocals are practically inaudible. Like karaoke versions. Which admittedly is kinda fun in a weird sorta way. But c'mon.
    Maybe there should be a page or paragraph or Something in the already included literature by the producer/engineer where they could address and acknowledge some of the issues with a particular release.

    What's the old saying? "Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining". And don't say nothing and pretend that everything is just exactlty perfect. By saying Nothing it only makes people wonder if it's only their disc/equipment/ears/delusion.

  • MDJim
    Joined:
    Re: Unkle/Remix the Entire Box

    Perhaps I am behind in reading all these posts.. but the mix issues on my CDs seem to match up with the mix issues on the soundboards in the Archive. This means either the problems with the mix exist on the source master reels or all these sound engineers are hitting off the same crack pipe (which I guess is a possibility albeit a slim one). So remixing the entire box would likely yield the same result, but at great expense and causing much confusion for all.

    Just to make sure I was not seeing double (hey.. it happens), I took some time to compare the PNW box to my source soundboards that I pulled down from the archive long, long ago. The issues with the mix are consistent comparing one show to the next.

    Is this another poke to make sure we have maintained our sense of humor? ….remixing the entire box seems a bit silly perhaps, but not very much fun.

    Again, I could be missing something..

    One thing comparing my recordings to these did yield.. the PNW box sounds better than what I pulled down. Even the 73 shows sound quite good to me and my system with and without headphones.

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Pacific Northwest ’73-’74: The Complete Recordings Boxed Set

WHAT'S INSIDE:
6 Complete Shows On 19 Discs
• 6/22/73 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.
• 6/24/73 Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
• 6/26/73 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA
• 5/17/74 P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C.
• 5/19/74 Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
• 5/21/74 Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Mastered in HDCD from the original master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering
Masters transferred and restored by Plangent Processes
Original Art by First Nations Artist Roy Henry Vickers
Photos by Richie Pechner
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000

Includes an immediate digital download of "Eyes Of The World (P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada 5/17/74)"

"We were in the Pacific Northwest...between somewhere in Washington and some other where in Oregon. The road took us to the lip on a ridge, from where we could see around us for many miles in all directions … It was breathtaking to behold, but as we watched, we had a firm realization that we were witnessing something even more beautiful than our eyes could ever take in … Life causes life. Heaven and Earth dance in this way endlessly, and their child is the forest. And so there we were, epiphanously watching that grandest and most glorious dance of life—of which we are just a tiny part—awed by a magnificence without beginning, without end..."

Bob Weir, “Sell Headwaters—Everyone Wins,” San Francisco Chronicle

The Pacific Northwest offers up a rich feast of land, sky, and water. It is ripe with influences, abundant with symbols, deep and spirited. It should, therefore, come as no surprise that the Grateful Dead played some of their most inspired shows on these fertile grounds. It does, however, sometimes take a breath for the elements to re-align years later. It seems for us, they finally have and we are able to present not just a glimpse of the band's extraordinary exploratory tour through the region, but a two-tour bounty as the PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS.

For PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, we've paired two short runs made up of six previously unreleased shows - P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, B.C. (6/22/73); Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR (6/24/73); Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA (6/26/73); P.N.E. Coliseum, Vancouver, Canada (5/17/74); Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR (5/19/74); and Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (5/21/74). Each show has been mastered in HDCD from the original master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. The transfers from the masters were transferred and restored by Plangent Processes, further ensuring that this is the best, most authentic that these shows have ever sounded.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST ’73-’74: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS comes in an ornate box created by Canada’s preeminent First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers (more on this tremendous artist soon). To complement the music, the set also includes a 64-page book with an in-depth essay by Grateful Dead scholar Nicholas G. Meriwether and photos by Richie Pechner.

Due September 7th, this release is limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies and available exclusively from dead.net. You'll want to grab a copy while you can and sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks.

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. You can pre-order it now too.

Get it while you can.

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Please release more artwork! Love that third eye socket on the skull! Wow - would make a good wallpaper for pc or phone... Love one of those Dave or Dr Rhino unboxing video right about now, but figured they'll do that around August bday or anniversary? anOther+1 on that Arrowhead Estimated - takes you to another place.
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The box concept is growing on me. I like the art link FiveBranch sent further down in this thread too. My only complaint is that none of the skulls have beards. As we all know by now.. skeletons and skulls almost always have beards, apparently even the female ones have beards. Do skeletons have pit hair too? Just wondering... But I digress.. great artwork for this release and it has a refreshingly new angle on all things GD. Not comic art with skeletons. Something new. ..a rehash of the link FiveBranch posted earlier. http://www.donsmaps.com/bentwoodchests.html
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....is all over it. The band said this was that hottest show they ever performed at. That statement has a few connotations. 104 degrees here in Sin City today. Don't tell me....
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Didn't buy this box set tonight, but I decided to order Get Shown The Light (Music Edition), RFK Box Set and the 45 Single of Truckin/Ripple (I like the artwork). I had some catching up to do! Feeling pretty excited right now. I have a sinking suspicion this box might be around for a tiny little bit, being that it's summer and people are taking vacations, going to shows and festivals and generally travelling. Keeping my thumbs crossed it lasts into mid-July at least. After tax and shipping, it's quite the sticker shock when I put it in the queue yesterday. Also, I find it extremely hard to believe that the 1978 box is still for sale and hasn't sold out. It's so friggin' good!!! I got a copy last summer and just love the raw energy of those 5? shows. Raucous stuff and the presentation of the set is gorgeous. It's like a graphic novel
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Mostly listened to the various shows of the PNW box today before pulling the trigger on the box set. Switching gears tonight, listening to the poignant jazz guitar of the underappreciated Sean Levitt, vol. 1, at the moment. Vguy, I'll be staying in Elko tomorrow night on the way to Park City for a week. One of these days I plan to take a side trip up into the Ruby mountains near Elko. They look nice from a distance, but haven't actually made it up into them yet after several recent trips through Elko.
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And here I thought I'd finish listening to Missoula tonight - gonna be a late night. Time for another Tree House Brewing Haze (complete with purple can) - yum yum.
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....my man! We are so spoiled. No regerts here. The Incredibles is over. We had a vote. Lady and The Tramp it is. The girls have good taste, seeing as how we're trying to get two dogs to get along here. It's working out just fine....this corner of the internet is as cool as the other side of the pillow (of winds).
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....hey frosted. If you don't visit Lamoille Canyon, you're doing yourself a disservice.
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i myself listened to some of the '78 box set before the conversation. but not 7/1/78, 7/7/78 instead.
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Will try to check out the canyon en route.
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The true Boxilla---30 Trips around the Sun, was a super limited release. I am so grateful for 7+ years of vault releases in one shot. Still have never fully appreciated the magnitude of that box. My favorites from the set are 9/18/87, 2/21/95, the Albany show from '93, Dream Bowl, the '86 show and the glorious Miami multi-track from '89. The 1970 show gets an honorable mention. Powerful stuff in that set.
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The Raven Man shirt is SOLD OUT!!!!!!! So glad I ordered one when I did. It's Friday DeadLand PLAY DEAD...LOUD!!!!!!!!!
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Buy! Buy! Buy! My only regret about the July 78 Box is that I didn't buy it sooner. For me it was this 78 box that really let me know what I was missing with all the other box releases (I've missed a few over the years). The sound quality on this is so good that for a while it was hard for me to listed to anything else. All are great shows. I find that I go back to the St. Paul, MN, show (7/3) very often. It's my favorite in the set. That Stella Blue is downright powerful. Among many other nuggets, I also really dig the Sunshine Daydreams refrains in this run--I really like Keith's "twinkles" on the keys. I'm very excited for these PNW shows. They are real and they are spectacular--it was an easy decision to preorder this box. In particular I find Portland (5/19/74) to be a very fine show. To put things in perspective, you can get six excellent shows for about the same price on DaP 9 (Missoula, MT, 5/14/74) on the secondary market. Crazy. Lets' see, my last 6 were: 4/14/72, 11/18/72, 4/12/71, 4/7/71, 10/14/80 and 7/14/90. Oh and I've been rocking my old cassette copy of 10/30/72 on my commute. That show is so good. Really makes you wish it existed as a real SBD. I can't say that I've listened to them all, but I would have to consider the 10/30/72 Greatest Story Ever Told as one of the greatest versions performed. It's smokin' hot good and simply won't end. I hope Dave considered this show for release somehow, someway (maybe a bonus show for a Fall 72 Box)? He played some of it on TIGD last October and for a AUD from the SBD it sounded pretty good...
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Last night I was listening to Archie Shepp - Live in San Francisco 1966. The Impulse label 1998 reissue sounds absolutely stunning. Dead connection: The show was recorded by Wally Heider! No wonder it sounds so good. Then, to "come down" after having my mind blown by his wailing sax (and his brilliant piano playing, holy crap), I listened to "Moon Safari" by the band Air. Ironically that brought me back to earth. Today I'm putting 7/3/78 in my car, after reading Spanish Jam's post. As much as I love that box, I realize I haven't listened to that particular show much at all. Fixing.
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Believe it or not, I of all people have not yet purchased the 78 Box. I’ve seen decades worth of “shows” at arrowhead (strung with disappointment) but most of them did not involve musical instruments and to my knowledge Jerry was never present. I’ve only been a member of this site for 7-8 months and other purchase opportunities keep popping up like this NW Box Set which I purchased immediately. Oroboros with his Red Rocks story and others have finally pushed me over the edge....but I will have to wait at least another month cause the wife might divorce me if she sees both charges! She is still mad at me for the speaker upgrade a couple months ago....SHIT, how do you all stay married?
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Don't understand it, huh? Closed minded, huh? I grew up obsessed with baseball. Played everyday. Followed the NY Mets religiously. Tom Seaver, Rusty Staub, Bud Harrelson, Ed Kranepool, Jerry Koosman, etc. Do me a favor. Without using your Google machine, tell me who Ed Armbrister is and why he is significant. I was also obsessed with the Bay City Rollers. But, I was a child. Eventually I discoverd ice hockey and the Grateful Dead. And the world got much better.
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...the name still sends Carlton Fisk into a vodka fueled rage. No need to Google that bad memory... Bucky Dent, Mookie Wilson.... time to watch Suarez take a bite out of Egypt. Thanks for getting my blood pressure up.
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Key to marriage.....codependency! We enable each other....she has a bit of a book problem ; )
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Jim, I resemble that remark!Id be proud to be Oroboros evil twin! Actually, more like bizzaro Jerry on Seinfeld Lol
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Anyone else having trouble completing this purchase this morning? 8:45 AM central time
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With reckless abandon (or measured methodical movements) we Yin and Yang all over this Dead landscape (netscape?)! Recall "if it's the end or beginning" ? "Teachers open the door, you must enter by yourself."
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SpanishJam, Vguy72 , claney, Hbob1995, icecrmcnkd, frosted, 80sfan, Cousins of the…, JiminMD, MadDoc, Stolzfus, Charlie3, Bob t, and anybody else I missed….just wanted to say thank you for your insightful feedback on the Summer 78 Box, clearly, I should have asked the question a year ago…LOL And Oroboros…great tale…loved it! You have more?? I'm so glad the Summer 78 Box Set sparked so many good memories and conversation. So with your urging and reviews, I pulled the trigger this morning and now can’t wait for it to arrive…this box will definitely make up a huge chunk of my summer listening. And maybe, come early Fall, after I’ve deeply absorbed the shows, I’ll post a short review and hopefully generate some more conversation and memories. Thanks Again, Robb Z
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Does anyone have Archives recommendations for '89? Not my favorite period, but I picked up the RFK box, and I do like it. Thanks
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Sorry to spike the BP so early in the morning. Just don't like some part time dope telling people that they are ill-informed. Funny thing is, I became a Red Sox convert in college. For the sole reason that yankee fans are the most obnoxious people on the planet. By far. Completely unaware of themselves and will go out of their way to convince you otherwise. So be it. I will take the other side. Think of Dave Roberts and all will be well again.
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I had the great opportunity to meet the 1969 Mets, including Tom in St Pete as they stayed at the Colonial Inn on the beach 1/2 mile from my house! Met the majority of the players as my family had them over for a party.Also got to shag balls at Al Lang in St Pete after the big win! Thanks for the memory jog!
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But being a Midwesterner, I would point to the Alpine Valley run 7/17-18-19/1989, as an outstanding representation of the boys from that era. And my touring had reduced significantly with the arrival of my three sons, so my knowledge of this era is limited. And Robbz, you asked for another story (sorry cohorts who have heard this one, here it comes again) there is a 'prequel' to that 1978 story. Back in 1977, my girlfriend (now wife), myself, and two buddies decided to road-trip from Lincoln Nebraska to the Winterland for the New Year's Eve run of shows in San Francisco. I toted along with us a clay sculpture that I had made the prior year. It was a one and 1/2 foot (in circumference) dragon that was biting/consuming it's own tail. I had 'scraffitto' (carved designs) into the entire beast's 'hide' and then it was fired and stained. It was the biggest piece of clay sculpture that I have ever made. And I thought it would be fun to give it to the band on New Years. So away we go, get to the venue and secured tickets for the run (12/27-29-30-31-77). The shows were unbefuckinliveable and Winterland was such a great hall. But on the 31st, we were sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open, talking and watching the circus, ready to hurry and get in for the 'activities' ie. freak volleyball and Bill Graham was going to show us movies (Ray Bradbury's Illustrated Man and the original Beatles Magical Mystery tour) before that evening's show. I thought "I better try to unload the dragon aka 'Oroboros' now, it's heavy and I don't want to try to talk my way though the front gate with it." I spied a door that said 'Backstage' and began knocking on the door. No answer. The line of people on the side walk started getting up and moving toward the entrance. Banged even harder thinking "I've got to get this dragon in there so I can go in the front and join in before the show", and as I pounded harder, the door yanks open with a force that it yanks me into the doorway. This doorway is immediately filled with a gigantic black man in a red event t-shirt, who puts his hand on my chest and leans forward and bellows "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Startled, I held out the dragon with both hands and stuttered "to give this to the band". The giant took it in his immense hand and his face curls into a grin as he held it closer to inspect it and I watched my dragon shrink to the size of a key chain. He exclaimed "Wow, what is this, I'd like one" and I explained "it's an oroboros and that is the only one there is." He grinned and said "Cool, who do you want me to give it to?" and I said "to Garcia, give it to Jerry Garcia." The giant disappeared as quickly as he appeared and the door slammed shut like the the first time Dorothy tried to get into the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. So, I happily gain entrance to the show and needless to say, it was something, 'freak volleyball' followed by the movies, Graham's copy of Bradbury's 'Illustrated Man' followed by a 16 mm Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour". The colorful/wonderful crowd, wonder gal 'rainbow' Rose with an eyedropper of liquid party favor "just one dollar per drop. On your tongue or for the adventurous, a drop in your eye". Oh, and when each person walked through the entrance the staff handed us a piece of paper that had a message about a "Good things come to those who wait, surprise at midnight" with steal your face logo. When you entered Winterland, you could go into the big 'hall' surrounded on all sides by an elevated balcony, (with theater seats). You could also go into a bar, which played some black and white videos on a 'big screen' taken from pro shots of the Winterland stage when Hendrix or Airplane or etc played. Very entertaining on many levels. Hey, the New Riders of the Purple Sage are starting, got to get in there, the sound is loud and they are rocking the house. Anticipation was high and the Dead came out for the first set. Our party favors are now starting to engage..., things began to sparkle, and the old Winterland venue takes notice, and her walls start to sweat and, then to sway with the strains of familiar music as the Dead coaxes this old hall to dance with us. This is such a delight, I know the vista cruiser is engaged and then I notice when the house lights went down, and the stage lights went dark in between songs, then I saw 'it'. On top of a monitor, in between Billy and Mickey, there was a flame, it was a white candle sitting in front of a dragon consuming it's tail. It was Oroboros, ON STAGE WITH THE DEAD! I watched as Jerry walked over and lit a cigarette off the candle next to the ceramic beast. They took a break and the surprise for the second half was Uncle BoBo (as Bobby liked to call Graham) dressed up as Uncle Sam on a motorcycle sliding down on a cable suspended high from the back of the hall (over us) to the stage. They put spotlights on him (as the Dead made appropriate musical anticipatory noise) and he approached the stage and it was hilarious. Because as Graham came to the stage, the weight of the bike and BoBo was too much. He and the bike were far below the lip of the stage, so the stage hands had to rush out and drag him onstage. Which triggered the explosion of Sugar Magnolia, complete with the dropping balloons. And flanking the Dead a gal and guy dressed in a diaper as the 'New Year' babies. I was 'sittin' on top of the world (Dead reference intended). What a night!! Hey if you pull up 'YouTube', type in Dead NYE show 1977- Fire on the Mountain video, and right at the end of Fire on the Mountain, the camera does zoom in on the 'oroboros' for a couple of seconds. RDevil here on Deadnet found that 'view' a couple of years ago and he clued me into it. And then I showed it to my 3 sons to demonstrate the old man is not full of beans or any other'brown material'. Anyway, what a treat that run in 1977 was. At many levels, the return of China Cat-Rider, my being able to 'gift' our band, who poured out so much to us. But unknown to me, the best would be yet to come. We walked out into the cool San Francisco early morning and drove through the fog back to Nebraska. This is not the end of the tale. Fast forward to 2-3-78 and another road trip to Madison, Wisconsin. The Dead were on a roll and this was really a killer show. That Cold Rain and Snow to start out and the tremendous second half with Estimated>Eyes>Wheel that will knock you into orbit. The next morning before I left the hotel, I got a wild hair and called the front desk and asked "Could I have Jerry Garcia's room please?" and the phone rang and Jerry answered! I said "Hey, I'm the guy that brought the dragon to the New Year's show" and Garcia immediately said "Meet you in the coffee shop in 20 minutes". I couldn't believe what was happening but stumbled into the coffee shop at the appointed time and looked around and saw Jerry Garcia seated at a table with a ravishingly beautiful raven-haired gypsy woman. I walked over and introduced myself, and 'shook the hand, that shook the hand, of PT Barnum and Charlie Chan'. Jerry beamed that smile and gestured and said "sit down, man". He asked me "How did you fire that dragon so that it didn't explode in the kiln?" and I explained how I had cut it in half and hollowed it out and then joined it back together. I told him how I had used a guitar string to 'halve it" and we locked eyes at that moment and he burst into laughter and I said "Ironic, huh?" and Jerry quipped "No, man that makes perfect sense." And then we laughed some more. Then the gypsy/beauty said "where are you from?" and I replied Nebraska. And she shot Garcia a glance and stated "he came all the way up here from Nebraska to see the band!" To which Jerry shrugged his shoulders and quickly retorted "we didn't ask him to come". Garcia looked over to me and we both howled with laughter again. No deadhead was she. We talked more about art and the dragon and I didn't know at that time of Garcia's interest and practice in art (this kind anyway). He was completely engaged in the topic of art, but quick witted with 'turn on a dime' twists, turns, and little commentaries on a variety of topics. Jerry was also focused on listening, not acting like he was the important one, giving me time and locked in on our discussion and talking about our shared interests. The gypsy woman frowned in disbelief as she asked me "You went out to San Francisco for New Years and then you came up to Wisconsin" and I said 'yes.' She looked perplexed. Then I turned to Garcia and asked him "Why don't you bring the circus back to Lincoln, Nebraska?" He quickly replied "You mean to Perishing Auditorium?" And I corrected him "No, it is Pershing Auditorium, after the army general" and he quickly retorted "No man, it was perishing, really!" And we both burst out laughing again. At that Lincoln, Ne. Dead show on 2-26-73, there were a bunch of drunk frat boys yelling 'boogie, boogie" at the top of their lungs.., but that show is top-notch! Anyway, I asked Garcia "could you bring the Dead back to Nebraska" and Jerry grinned that Cheshire cat grin and said "who knows?" I took my leave (their breakfast arrived) and drove home. Then that summer the Dead came back to Omaha, Ne. on 7-5-78, and I taped them with my NAK 550 in FOB, and followed them to their/my first Red Rocks shows. What a run! And now it is available in all its Plantagenet glory. I will always claim that Omaha show as mine. So that is my story, Jerry Garcia was totally gracious, engaging, enthusiastic, and kind to a deadhead who approached him at one moment in time. I know, I repeat myself, such is my lot in life at this juncture, but thought I would 'complete the circle' of this story. Anyway, sorry for the repeat, but 'looks like the old man is getting on'. Forgive me and give me a day and I will conjour up my account of my first show at the Des Moines fair ground in 1974 (which is more in line with this wonderful Northwest 73 & 74 offering). This era is when I first saw the Grateful Dead and was swept into an extraordinary adventure 'on the bus' and have been 'enjoying the ride'. "It ain't what I don't know that gets me into trouble, it is what I know for sure, that ain't so". -Mark Twain
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and the Miracle Mets
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Back in the 80's Archie Shepp was a music professor at UMass Amherst. Back in 1984 the student run concert I belonged to (Union Program Council) booked Frank Zappa for 2 shows (Early and Late) at the Fine Arts Center. Unfortunately for us, Halloween was in the middle of a week that year and even though the show was booked the first weekend of November, the school administration would not let us sell tickets to non-students. We sold out the first show, but when we put on the second show on sale it did not even come close to selling out the FAC. In fact we had empty rows in front of the soundboard which was halfway on floor and no tix on mezzanine nor balconies. At that time, I was a security supervisor for UPC and had not transitioned to the darkside (Stage Crew). So the night of the show we were calling all of our friends to get them into the show so we could fill the rows up to the soundboard. I was able to get my girlfriend in and another buddy. Long story short - I know Frank must have seen an empty hall but he did not disappoint. Towards the middle of the show, a mike stand was brought out to the stage next to Frank. And Frank told the story how when he first started out and was a relative unknown a famous jazz saxophone player had invited him up on stage. And tonight he was going to invite that sax player, who was no other than Archie Shepp. Archie came out on stage and played a tune with Zappa and it wound up on one of the later FZ "You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore" releases... Sorry for the divergence.
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Fall tour is well documented with the Hampton shows, the Nightfall of Diamonds meadowlands show and the Miami 30 trips release...but the Spectrum run (10/18-10/20) is really excellent. 10/19 is one of my favorite shows of all time. Reach out if you'd like a copy...
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Had a salad for lunch yesterday. I didn't get to make it myself, but it was delicious. It was a total cash grab though. They didn't really care whether or not I liked the way the radishes were cut into those little swirly shapes. And the way the cashier pressed those buttons on the register with no elan, I could tell his heart and soul just wasn't in the transaction. I knew by then they were just in it for the money. I shook my head in disgust but proceeded to sit alone and eat the salad - even the radishes, in spite of it all.
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BASEBALL; I would of died for baseball when I was a lad, was a pretty good player too, varsity etc.. But like all sports I sadly watched money ruin the game....I was a huge Cardinals fan (used to listen to them on the mighty KMOX) Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Ted Simmons, Joe Torrey, yeah baby. Dug the Red Sox too, but such heartache. In Wesren NY most kids at the time were big Mets fans, or worse, ahem... So like most things I had to be different, the outcast, the other one! Probably a part of how I came to be a dead head and identified with all you weirdos; ) 89; personally parts of 89 into summer 90, before Brenski started to unravel, is one of my favorite eras. I know that’s contrary to the popular belief of a small but prevalent group on here, but don’t let that stop anyone from checking it out and coming up with your own conclusions.... Alpine for sure, Hampton, 10-16-89 is imho one of the best releases EVER! Philly was awesome, really wish they would get those out. When they played California Earthquake right after the Earthquake it was as good as any big moment in sports, trully powerful experience, at least live anyway. Not as familiar with the rest, of course the Miami DS etc.... EVIL TWIN; thanks so much for the stories! Please keep them coming. That’s perhaps my favorite part of this site; hearing great stories, especially from those who were there during those earlier glory years. 78 Box; even I dug it and I like that era less than some others, like??? Oh I don’t know like.... 73/74!!! So psyched for this new Box. Mostly enjoyed the “Mickey Godchaux” stuff of recent years, really liked the RFK, but I’m dam near Sh#&&ing myself waiting for this one! I’ve stated before I’m not a “taper” or obsessive collector like some. So that influences my wish list differently. I would like to get all the shows I was at, some other must haves or interesting wierd stuff, and I try to get at least copies of all the “official” stuff. Therefore I am not familiar with these shows and at first glance the set lists are perhaps meh? But thanks to all y’all’s comments about monster jams, and after watching Dave’s chat, well it got through my thick skull that these will be some real beauties eh! I mean Late 73 has always been one of my top, if not the top eras, I just wasn’t familiar with earlier stuff and though I like 4-3-73, it didn’t blow me away like say 10-19-73....(although that HCS and subsequent jam are sweet!) In fact how bout the rest of the late fall tour in a box? So there is always that awkward period like Ralphie in the Christmas story where he gets everything except that —“redriderbbgunwiththecompassinthestockandthisthingythattellstime” —when they release something I wasn’t at, but this time that lasted like 5 minutes. Now hopefully Dave’s 27 will come soon as a diversion, because I don’t know how I’ll survive until September! Yee-gads Thanks to Dave and all the gang who work so hard to bring us spoiled, whiney little be-atches all this amazing glory, especially the full led sonically enhanced stuff. And thanks to all y’all that help enlighten us dilatantes to the finer ports of these shows. Happy Friday All!!
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Right on 80sfan!
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Thanks, another great story!
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Here's a little something special from this day in Grateful Dead history - 6/15/85 Greek Theater https://archive.org/details/gd85-06-15.oade-schoeps.sacks.24586.sbeok.f… The AUD sounds really nice too. Perhaps more famous is 6/15/76, which I am enjoying right now, but that 85 Greek show is something special! TONS of energy, and perhaps one of Garcia's finest ballad moments on "She Belongs to Me." His guitar solo is a thing of pure (American)beauty. Hope everyone has a great weekend! PS - Love all the chatter about July 78 Box. Arrowhead is my personal fave - just a compact, tight, smoking show! I also really like St. Paul... aww hell, they're all good! Peace
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Sports?? I’ll watch/wager on just about any sport. However, I closely follow the NHL and College Football equally (viewing depends on who is playing whom on any given evening). Then the NFL, College Basketball, The NBA, Boxing (was the Mayweather-McGreggor fight boxing?) the CFL, and lastly Baseball. Now don't get me wrong about baseball because it's last on my list...I grew up in Cleveland, minutes from the old Municipal Stadium and watched & cheered many Indian greats such as Ray Fosse, Gaylord Perry, Lenny Barker, Albert Belle, Rick Manning, Mike Hargrove, Super Joe Charboneau, Buddy Bell, and Toby Harrah to name a few. Now a bit later in life, I just prefer a faster game, with an actual clock ending the game. I can't spend 5 or 6 hours watching a baseball game anymore....It's me, not you...LOL @The Outer One…I was actually tuned in last night to the opening of the CFL season, but that lightning delay lasted until I went to sleep. But you can bet I’ll be following the season this year as it progresses…including the Manziel saga in Hamilton. Johnny won me an ass-load of money when he played with A&M…I still talk about that Bama game…LOL @Vguy72…did you not mention the Knights/NHL in your sports post? Blasphemy!! I drove down from Utah three times last season to watch the Knights, would have gone more games but as the season progressed they got better and better and tix were getting expensive. In the mean time I watch the Utah Grizzlies…LOL
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Not sure why, and probably listen to it a bit more than I should, but July 4th, Buffalo has always been a favorite of mine.
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Summer 85, another of MY favorites, great show! “Oh the good old hockey game, it’s the best game in the land....” love that song, can’t remember title etc? 7-4-89, ah that was a another awesome day, home show etc. Just watch Jerry and Brent giggling at each other, look like a couple a teens in heat ; ) Jerry damn near cutting a boogaloo during Women are....
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....I've been lauding on them here quite a bit in the past RobbZ. Went to four regular season games and one playoff game. Like you, I would've gone to more, but tix were very pricey.
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I figured you must have been all over them this season since you live there. The friends I know in Vegas are all huge fans "now"...this time last year, not so much...LOL. You follow the 51s at all?? Seen them play the Bees a few times up here....
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I hereby recommend Oroborous for a two-hour radio variety show, broadcast live on XM Radio--Grateful Dead Channel...say every Saturday evening, 7-9 PM EST, to cover a wide variety of topics, including/but not limited to: road stories, drinking tips, sports, music, and general shenanigans. Can I get a witness??!??
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Thank you everybody for all the suggestions, that should keep me busy for a while...I don't recall ever hearing a more thunderous response than the breakout of China/Rider on 12/29, maybe even more so than Dark Star on 12/31/78, if my memory serves me right. Could be because that DS came on around 4:00 am.
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Always loved when the audience went bonkers! Trying to get the best of the boys!
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... as I mentioned below, that 85 Greek show is great, with an amazing Jerry ballad "She Belongs to Me." Well, that was my morning - this afternoon it's been 6/15/76 from the famed Beacon run of shows... and I am currently listening to a jaw-droppingly gorgeous "Stella Blue..." This is a good day for Jerry ballads (and, they played "Might As Well" as 1st set closer at both shows too :) Anyway, a lot of you have heard this show, probably more than once, but if not, check it out too. If you have, it is at the very least worth a revisit for the "Stella"... https://archive.org/details/gd76-06-15.sbd.kempa.241.sbeok.shnf/gd76-06… Peace
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Thanks. I have my moments.
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The Mrs is out of town for a few days so I did a stealth purchase that easily went through...as the saying goes sometimes it's easier for forgiveness than permission...
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The Mrs is out of town for a few days so I did a stealth purchase that easily went through...as the saying goes sometimes it's easier for forgiveness than permission...
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Does anyone know for sure that the booklet will not be included with a digital download?
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