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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.
Tico Tico
Giving Brazil a little love. Lord knows they need it right now.
Tico-Tico no Fubá - I can see why Jerry liked to tune up with this little finger exercise.
Next up Roll Out The Barrell, Beer Barrel Polka and Ken Nordine's Yellow Dog story Space Jam to the beat of My Funny Valentine.
Second Only to Tuning. Ha..
Edit: Looks like Tico Tico made a guest appearance at the end of Peggy-O in the box.. technical difficulties 5/19/94 Portland.
Ace Of Cups....
https://relix.com/blogs/detail/song-premiere-ace-of-cups-the-well-feat-…. They're all beautiful. Lucky Bobby.
Almost done
Tomorrow I will only have the last show from this awesome Box, and I can’t wait to hear it. Every show has been extremely entertaining for different reasons. Long jams, one obvious lyric messed up (which I love), spaceship moments that would impress even Stockhausen or Sun Ra, and some of the bands most innovative transitions. All and all I’m completely knocked out by how much energy there is in these shows.
I’m convinced these are the best sounding Wall of Sound recordings that have been officially released to date. High praise for everyone involved in putting this collection together. I’m in Dead Heaven.
1/2 Way Through....
....started with Seattle '74. Then Seattle '73 x 2. PNE '74 just finished. All exemplary shows so far. The sound is so on point, it's ridiculous. This will carry me through the rest of the year. Twenty year old me is impressed.
The delivery man rings twice
I thought I were the lucky guy when I saw what happened to my european mates who ordered the box. I received the box on Wednesday and on Friday my wife received another visit from the UPS delivery man singing "I'm the taxman Yeaheahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!eventually she paid 61€ for tax duties.
anyway I am very happy with the boxset it 's two great run of shows with incredible music. I wonder how WRSuite failed for the best of...
Taxman Blues
Great sets, great sounds and great big tax bill because I live in the UK.£50.69 UK or $66.24 to youse guys.
These things should come with a health warning.
Just sayin'
But apart from that...
Taxman Blues in UK-Chris
I had to pay an extra £69.18 when my box was delivered. Maybe worth trying to contact them for an explanation.
Which I've just done, and been directed to ring back on Monday. The cost of the tax on this was the same as the cost of the vinyl edition of 5/19/74 on Amazon last week.
Taxman blues
I wonder how they calculate the tax???Mine arrived in England last Wednesday and my bill was £48.71
Chris Ripple - you're not a scouser are you??? (youse...)
If so maybe an extra £1.98 to get into the Peoples Republic??
And Daverock - London weighting???
pacific nw arrival in england
the pacific nw box just arrived in cumbria, england...i got stung by the customs man too, but this is to be expected for importing such treasures. although i’ve only heard the first vancouver show so far the sound quality is such an improvement it’s truly glorious...love the way that good restoration can open up the subtleties of the music like this. the chemistry really shines. it is a joy to hear and it makes me feel lucky to be experiencing it. cheers for this. as always the art work and build quality of the box is amazing, although it is very big and bulky for six shows. the next few weeks i’m really going to be losing myself in these. can’t wait. thanks again.
...72’, 73’ & 74’
I’m still enjoying 1973 myself to be honest. I like to think of 72’ 73’ & 74’ as an Indian braid. It’s quit beautiful how all three eras dance together in the Grateful Dead’s musical history and evolution as a band. I love it! :)
Probably the only guy
I can't get into the album cover art. I look at the iPod screen and it doesn't look Dead enough. I've switched it out with the 7" Singles pictures. It's not like they're on my iPod. Much happier.
Checked the invoice...
Checked the UPS invoice and found that the value given was 162.71 Euros which at their stated exchange rate came to $189. This was the sum used to assess duty. This time shipping charges were not included luckily, but it has happened to me in the past when the package has been dealt with by customs rather than UPS. Sales tax was levied at the standard Dutch rate of 21%.
verfluchende taxes/customs/tariffs/fees/outrightthefts
your stories about those things are painful, gentlemen.
I am truly sympathetic.
"when I was a younger man" (GD lyrics...do you know where from?), I thought people who complained about taxes were just being grumpy.
but at 54, I understand why people despise them.
"one grapefruit, please". "that'll be $40 import fee."
tax this
tax that
tax this
tax that
tax this
tax that
NO MORE RED TAPE
ty2the Circle Jerks, circa 1980
with the start of the school year,
I haven't had time to do more than open and admire and lust after this release. no complaints, just a fact.
but this afternoon....
:)))
Is there room for another one in here?
Firstly apologies to you all for the member log in email that went out. It was really directed at me as I registered years ago and then never logged in again. Sorry about that.Secondly thanks to everyone involved that saw this box hurtle out of the States to England faster than anything else ever issued by Dead.net (although I did get hit for the £48 bonus charge). I don’t recall ever receiving Dead discs before you stateside folk. Doubtless normal service will resume shortly but it’s been fun just this once.
Thirdly what a year it seems 1973 was. The band is really playing well and the sound out of my speakers is some of the best ever. Truly a remarkable box set.
Love the analogy
@ lovemygirl. The Indian braid is a cool analogy for the Dead. Each era is as great as the whole. They certainly created a glorious legacy that remains timeless. I also agree that 72-73-74 the Dead seemed to be channeling magic. I’m personally glad they took the break in 75, as it proved to allow them to re boot and take the music to another level.
@ stoltzfus - School Year Blues
The start of the school year has impeded my listening as well, though I did get a good listen to Vancouver 73 discs 3 and 4 while waiting for Back to School night on Wednesday.
This weekend, however, will be another story. I'm just now getting to ripping the 74 shows, and actually just started on Seattle. Once they are locked and loaded... well, I will be away for a while.
I agree with Jim that ripping the box is a chore, as I too need everything to be "just exactly perfect," though it is an enjoyable one. While sitting here today, I noticed that Roy Vickers gave us an Earth, Air, and Water theme for both sets... that's cool. I was telling my wife how much I truly appreciate the time, effort, care, and talent that went into the creation of this physical product. Fantastic job, all around!
On to Portland, talk to you all later!
Peace
new box
Slowly digesting this beautiful box. The sound quality is just amazing and I love the individual cases for the shows - just like a CD box should be. I was never a big fan of the elaborate packaging for separate shows. These are much more portable. We are some lucky fans to have this 45 year old music available to us with such great quality! Jam on Deadland!
Great Value On Boxes Right Now. Get them while you can.
Just to let folks know or who are on the fence. Right now some of the best value for you money is for sale on this site. This Pac Northwest box is by far one of the best sounding and recorded boxes out there. The fact that they are not sold out yet is crazy. Also and I did the add to cart trick on the Music Only 30 Trips Box that is for sale right now and it appears there are 262 left. I did some checking and from what I can tell these cds were printed in 2015 when the box was printed and sold. They are from the same original batch produced and were printed in the USA. The last box set to be printed in the good old USA. There are some fantastic shows in that box and at $25.17 which is what I paid shipping and taxes included a concert it is one of the best values in Grateful Dead music today. We all know what happens on eBay. I checked some of the single concert prices a few months ago on eBay before the Music Only Edition went up for sale and waterbury 72 and the NJ 77 concerts were selling for more than 100 dollars. After the dust clears on these 262 boxes left the prices will once again go up. Also if you wanted a single concert out of that set now is the time to buy on eBay. They are around 50 bucks a show. That will go up going into next year. Anyway just to let folks know. Now is the time to strike. These are two of the best boxes that will ever be produced and they are both on sale right now. My 30 trips music only box will be here soon. Plus they are factory sealed. The ones we got in the Original Box were not. Very cool.
Defective disc
Was so happy to see this box waiting for me when I got home the other day. That changed quickly when the very first disc I put in started skipping on the last song. Tried it in two other CD players with the same results. Disc looks clean to me so it’s strange how something like this can happen. Sent my message over 72 hours ago. Was promised a response within 48. That didn’t happen.
The Portland '73 El Paso....
....is just exactly perfect. So good, I posted it twice....
Taxman blues
London weighting-maybe that's why I seem to have paid so much more than everyone else. Not that I live in London. Lowestoft on the East Coast is where I now hang my hat-a few 100 miles from London-but maybe my box went there first. All will be revealed on Monday.
I'm not actually against tax-if I think its going to help fund much needed services-but I'm not as keen to donate funds to private companies like UPS.
Suffice to say I am also enjoying this box, and will do for some time. I'm currently half way through 6/26/73. Lovely clear sound - its all very smooth, isn't it?
WHAT was that, MidwayKid?
Oh, really:
http://www.dead.net/store/new/30-trips-around-sun-music-only-edition
I know some of our frequent posters mention not buying this box when it was originally released. It's baaaaaaaaaaack (sans extras)!
TAXES & DUTY
Daverock, you are not alone in paying more, I too had to shell out another £69-18, I'm sure this is the most expensive box set per disc thus far, I've worked this out to be £43 per show or £13-57 per disc.
Enjoying the shows immensely and also love the artwork, it was great to also have it shipped out so quickly to us over here.so we can digest these wonderful shows at the same time as our American cousins.
Reached the last 3rd of the box now, gonna listen to the last two shows tomorrow, then repeat other parts of the box, happy listening.
TTATS Music Only Edition...
....I would've dropped the price tag a hundred bucks, but that's just me. I also would've prepped fans that this was coming. Instead, a lot of people shopped ala cart since the release. Seems kinda weak.
It's Ok
It's great that we got 6 shows from this era, but I'm baffled at all of the comments about how great the sound is. I listened to all of the 1973 shows so far, and it seems most songs are affected by either Jerry being too low, Billy's symbols being too high, Jerry being too low, Keith being absent (Dark Star, wtf??? Seriously, he must have ducked off backstage with Donna for some stage service), vocals coming in too hot. I'm just having a difficult time turning it up loud and experiencing consistent good sound, especially when there's singin' going on. Things like Playing in the Band and Dark Star DO sound really good during the instrumental parts.
PLANGENT!!!!!
This Box proves that Kayak Guy May be on to something with his idea that all good sounding reels should get Plangentized.
Have made it through all the shows, went chronological. No defective CDs, 1 had a large finger print smudge but I was able to wipe it off without damaging the CD.
All CDs played without any issues. Will now load onto HD - I always make sure they play on my stereo CD player before ripping them.
Sorry for those with issues, I’ve had defective CDs in the past.
The fastest remedy is usually Dr. Rhino.
Love the Box. Will give it many plays this fall/winter as I slowly digest its contents.
Taxes/tariffs
Sounds like the UK folks should tabulate what each person got charged and then inquire with customs what the rules and rates are. Seems pretty arbitrary at this point.
Halfway Through
Listened to all 3 shows from '73 so far, all seemed great to me, just what I was hoping for, sound quality seemed good to me. The only glitch was the harsh skip on disc 5 at the end of Box of Rain on the 6/24/73 show. When I checked the disc it had an almost imperceptibly thin scratch that was deep and apparently the cause of the skip. Guess I'll see about a replacement once I listen to the rest of the box and confirm whether or not there are any other defects. Liked all three '73 shows so much I really can't even say which one I like more at this point, going to take a few more listens to really digest it all.
Not "Exactly Perfect" - But stunning none the less...
Yes, the mix has it's ups and downs, and there are goofs and forgotten lyrics etc, but it really is amazing that tapes made nearly 50 years ago still can provide so much fidelity on the bits that flow so right.
I'd rather hear all the faults than an edited down assortment of only "perfect" parts.
Donna wailing was how it was, they in real life forgot the lyrics, not all instruments were up in the mix at all times, so this rendition is "true" for certain values of reality.
Like a favorite photograph that might be creased and dogeared, with faded colors, and maybe a bit blurry, the faults are there to those who look on the surface, but there is a depth that ignores those faults and you can experience the underlying feeling of that moment.
Tell Ya What
I think I mentioned in my post below that I had only listened to the first three shows from 1973. Well I just got through the first 1974 show, and all I can say is AHHHHH, THAT'S MORE LIKE IT.
Who can say what accounts for the difference, but the first '74 show sounds like I was expecting. And Goddam well I declare, Keith is playing so fast on Ramble on Rose you would think the piano was on fire. But the audio here is more in character with what the recent releases have been sounding like. Now I hear the magic, f'in love these guys!
All I can say is the difference can't be Rex Jackson, because he did a great job on Dave's 21. Maybe just the source tapes. Ahhh, now I'm a happy camper.
just exactly perfect...
having delved into the contents of this magic box, glimpsed the book, a beautiful essay from nicholas merrwether, cool inserts from roy henry vickers, listened to a transcendent 'bird song' on cd1 'tis already clear to me, in concept and in delivery, it is just exactly perfect...
Extending my vacation
I just returned from over a week of hiking and camping in the Pacific Northwest. Box 11,570 was waiting for me when I returned, along with some excited dogs. It's great to see this now familiar style of art and to extend my experience of that part of the world. A perfect homecoming for a perfect trip.
Download audio quality comments, anyone?
Hello all,
I've never been impressed with the audio quality of 73-74 recordings, and so have held off on this. Hoping for some honest comments from folks who went for the hi res download version.
Please don't flame me. I saw the Dead several times in that period and the concert sound was potent, powerful, especially (or particularly) Lesh. But the audio on the soundboards I've purchased here have been a shadow, thin, weak, compressed.
By comparison, most of the releases 1969-1972, 1975-1979, and 1989-1990 capture the power of the music, I mean, based on my memories of the concerts compared with the recordings.
Thanks for any thoughts ...
Those who knew
bought it on the spot.
Those who doubted, but read the reviews and purchased, are fortunate.
Those who hesitate now and miss out are just foolish.
Clearly in the top three of all box releases.
God bless those boys.
Foolish Heart....
.... coming, coming, coming around. I'm three sheets to the wind and my dogs are fighting over a rubber ball. Another Greatest Story is firing up. And again these things just have to be done....
Bear with me, cause this is a tale....
....a tale of tonight. My wife and best friend works part time as a home health giver. One of her clients is a man named Sam who was a world class chef who cooked for Disney. Nice gig. Had a stroke. Gig gone. We went to his birthday party tonight. After the congregation left, it was my wife, me, Sam's wife GiGi, her daughter and her boyfriend Mike. Apparently, Gigi's daughter bought her mom an Alexis. I shouted out "Alexis. Play The Beatles In My Life." Alexis didn't answer. Mike synced his phone up to Alexis. After In My Life ended, I heard the notes of Brown-Eyed Women. "Dude. What's up with that?" Mike responded with "It's the Grateful Dead." I stood up, and gave him a huge hug. My wife smirked. We are indeed everywhere. He thought the PNW release was only offered in a three-disc set. I enlightened him....Mike passed my test.
Disc 16....
.... brings the goods. That GDTRFB fade out is heartwrenching. One More Saturday Night indeed
Thanks! All - for sharing
Thanks! All - for sharing your stories on this new Box Set.
scratches, finger prints and smudges oh my
I like the box, still kinda big for just six shows but that's ok, but what is up with all the scratches, finger prints and smudges on the playing surfaces of these discs? I have several discs that look like who ever packaged the discs was wasted or just didn't know how to do it. You would think for over 200$ for 6 shows there would be better quality control. I have not played all the discs yet, but I have inspected all of them, it just blows my mind that there can be this many imperfections on a brand new box of cd's. It's just weird that all the jammy meat of the show discs are the ones that have been mishandled the worst, like who ever stuffed this box had never touched a cd before, or just couldn't believe what was on them and just had to listen to them? Believe me, these shows are off the hook, but if they skip, I am going to be one pissed off deadhead. I've got them all except the 77 boxes and this one, disc wise, is in the worst shape. When I get a Dave's Pick, it don't look like these, why? Rhino, Why? Funny how with Dave's releases, I get a return postage sticker just in case there is a problem, nothing with this one, are we suppose to pay to return a defective disc? Will Rhino send me a shipping return sticker? Will we all just have to eat a shitty disc? Now, on to the best part, listening to primo Dead from a primo year on a primo stereo with primo head supplies. It don't get any better than this. But if these skip, look out rhino, I will be coming for you.
Box 14????
Got my box...it was perfect. Checked it all over...perfect condition. When I went to download the cd's to my Mac I obviously check out each cd for smuges/scratches/peanut butter/etc. Each disc was....flawless. I downloaded all of them but have not had the time to check them for any audio glitches. That is this weeks project.
I do know that when you try to "pop" them out of the box you have to be VERY careful and push down on the center spyder as you remove them. I have learned my lesson, over the years, with other cd box sets. Sometimes you just have to take your time and message the center spider ring several time. gently pushing it down several times. Often, you will have to use different positions on the cutouts along the cd. I have spent several minutes doing this until the disc decided to release. If you try too hard you can break off the center plastic tab(s). I have done that one too many cd's until I got more...patient.
It would be very easy to scratch the cds taking them out for the first time. Be very careful. Scuff marks are probably from someone just sliding them off pile of cd's.
I am sure Dr. Rhino will take care of any of your issues. I had a few cds, over the years, that did not work and he replaced them with out any hassle(s). He is a great guy to work with.
I was surprised to get such a high number. I guess that when they got unloaded, like airplane luggage, the first ones loaded, on the truck, gets off last!
Enjoy your weekend.
Mr. Pete---------->
aging hippie
Donna
I wish I could mix Donna out of the concerts. Why did the Dead keep her on for so long? Just listen to Money Money. OMG she is absolutely and entirely horrible! She can't sing to save her life. Ruins every song she sings in more than background vocals. How on Earth did she ever make a living singing?
Dr. Rhino
Dr. Rhino has already responded to me via email that my replacement discs for 2 scuffed ones are being sent. Glad to see such a quick response, though frustrating that so many people are having problems.
However, don't say they didn't warn us. Page 35 of the PNW booklet, quotes a 1973 edition of the Dead's newsletter when, announcing Mars Hotel being pressed on their own brand new label, the band noted "some of the problems they had encountered with manufacturing. Sorry as we are to say it, absolute quality in this environment of scarcity and crisis is almost impossible."
Gotta say, I got quite a chuckle out of that.
Quality..
It is good to hear that Dr. Rhino is reacting quickly to defective disc problems. It would be nice if he could address the source of the problem. I have never seen scuff marks or fingerprints on new CDs before. I suspect the cause of scratches on the discs is the same i.e. sloppy work. I think discs are stacked on spindles prior to inserting them into their trays so scuffing shouldn't be an issue unless one practices their DJ skills on the stack. Shouldn't the packers be wearing gloves of some sort? That this only seems to happen on Dead releases and typically the box sets is strange but should be easy to track down and rectify - if there is a will to do so. That this hasn't been corrected long ago suggests that Rhino are happy with the way things are. They know we will keep coming back for more, whatever.
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081227931391
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