• https://www.dead.net/features/release-info/our-first-80s-box-complete-1989-hampton-warlocks-shows-6-cds
    Our First ’80s Box: The Complete 1989 Hampton “Warlocks” Shows on 6 CDs!

    It is a measure of the Grateful Dead’s confidence going into their fall 1989 East Coast tour that they decided to travel with the state-of-the-art Le Mobile remote recording truck so they could capture a bunch of their shows on 24-track tape, with an eye towards putting out a live album in the summer of 1990 in conjunction with a European tour that was already in the works. (Indeed the band recorded a number of shows on multi-track through the spring of 1990. The eventual album was Without a Net, released in September 1990.)

    There’s no question that the band had been on fire for quite a while. If you’re familiar with the CD/DVD releases Truckin’ Up to Buffalo from July 4, 1989, Crimson, White & Indigo from July 7 (Philly) and the video-only Downhill From Here from July 19 (Alpine Valley, Wis.) — not to mention the earlier nationwide telecast of the Summer Solstice show from Shoreline Amphitheater (Mountain View, Calif., June 21) — you know the group was playing at an exceptionally high level, arguably getting stronger each tour since Garcia’s remarkable resurrection following his Summer ’86 meltdown/near-death. The band had also been in the studio working on a new album, Built to Last (released Halloween ’89), and that newish material was starting to sharpen up on the road, too.

    When the first few dates of the October ’89 East Coast tour were announced, the Hampton (Virginia) Coliseum, long one of the band’s favorite places (and the site of many a fine Dead show) was not included on the list. You see, there had been some problems outside the last shows the band had played there — too many ticketless folks, too crazy a scene — and the powers-that-be in Hampton weren’t sure they wanted the Dead back at all. This is a problem the Dead encountered a lot during their post “Touch of Grey” renaissance, so the band got creative: Just ten days before the tour was to begin, the Dead suddenly announced a pair of “stealth” shows at Hampton set for October 8 and 9, 1989. There were no mail-order tickets sold for these gigs (as was common in those days); in fact, ducats were only sold in Southern Virginia through local ticket outlets, as a way to keep out the inevitable Dead Head invasion that followed the band everywhere. Instead of “Grateful Dead,” the tickets said “Formerly The Warlocks” on them, and when fans arrived at the gig those nights, the marquee read “The Warlocks.” Non-Deadheads passing the Coliseum must have been very confused seeing a band they’d probably never heard of headlining the arena. That, of course, was the point.

    The folks who were lucky enough to score tickets for the “Warlocks” shows in Hampton were treated to two of the most exciting shows of the year. Because not only was the group playing great, they had also taken the time to rehearse some old favorites they hadn’t tackled in a number of years, including “Dark Star,” the glorious triumvirate of “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot!” > “Franklin’s Tower,” “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” (played just once at Shoreline 11 days earlier), and perhaps most surprising of all, “Attics of My Life” (unplayed since 1972!). Not surprisingly, the crowd greeted these “revivals” with ecstasy bordering on hysteria. Can I get a “Woo-hooooo!”?

    Over the course of the two concerts, the band offered up what was practically a career retrospective, delving into crowd pleasing nuggets ranging from “Playing in the Band” to “Bird Song” to “Uncle John’s Band” to “Eyes of the World” to a spectacular “Morning Dew”; raucous rockers including “I Need a Miracle,” “Good Lovin’” and that incendiary Brent-Phil stomper “Gimme Some Lovin’”; and recent tunes such as “Foolish Heart,” “Victim or the Crime” and “Built to Last,” among many others (“Dear Mr. Fantasy”! “Stuck Inside of Mobile”! Lotsa good stuff, for sure.) You can find the complete set lists here.

    The Formerly The Warlocks box collects every note of the band’s two nights there, spread over six CDs. The concerts were originally recorded by Grateful Dead sound wizard John Cutler in the Le Mobile remote truck, and mixed recently by longtime Grateful Dead-associate and Bob Weir/RatDog studio engineer and front-of-house mixer Mike McGinn. As always, the discs have been mastered to HDCD specifications, so needless to say, it sounds like you’re there, in the best seats in the house.

    As this is the latest in a distinguished line of remarkable complete-run boxes (which includes Fillmore West 1969, and Winterland 1973 and Winterland June 1977), the folks at Rhino have gone above and beyond to design a package that’s (almost) as exciting as the music. This time out, they’ve packaged the CDs in a wooden replica of a cigar box (Virginia being a tobacco state dating back to colonial times), and filled it with all sorts of goodies, from a photo-laden historical essay by your humble narrator, to various pieces of cool memorabilia from the time/shows we won’t spoil for you by describing here.

    All in all, it’s a potent blast of the Dead at their late ’80s best that you won’t want to miss. To order your copy of the Formerly The Warlocks box, click here!

    NOTE: Now available for PRE-ORDER ONLY. Item is estimated to ship on September 7, 2010.

    16563
245 comments
sort by
Recent
Reset
Items displayed
  • Default Avatar
    GratefulTwinz
    11 years 9 months ago
    DEADFEAT 7/2/88 7/3/88
    My first shows were The Oxford Plains Speedway shows in 1988 with Littlefeat opening both shows.....And in my opinion,They would make an EXCELLENT box set...The band played well,& they were OBVIOUSLY in good moods proven by the non-stop grinning of Jerry and the RARE banter with the audience after the inevitable WE WANT PHIL chant....I know I have a bias opinion because I have a SERIOUS emotional attachment to these shows..(They actually changed my life forever) But I think most heads would agree with me that these shows were KILLER. I know at least 20 people that would order one IMMEDIATELY.....Thanks for your time and take care.Peace,George (/);}
  • Default Avatar
    David Le
    12 years ago
    This is a problem the Dead
    This is a problem the Dead encounter a lot during cheap south pacific tickets their post “Touch of Grey” new start, so the band got creative cheap sesame street live elmos super heroes tickets Just ten days earlier than the tour was to begin.
  • marye
    12 years 10 months ago
    almost by definition
    spam comes from a template. believe me, it's not a bunch of medieval monks sitting there illuminating manuscripts by hand...it's a bunch of computers belching the stuff out at the rate of bazillions per second in hopes that some of it gets through. Apparently there are enough innocents in the world who click on the links that this is a cost-effective approach and it keeps happening. Sigh. Why they think we're so interested in prom dresses I cannot say however.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 11 months

It is a measure of the Grateful Dead’s confidence going into their fall 1989 East Coast tour that they decided to travel with the state-of-the-art Le Mobile remote recording truck so they could capture a bunch of their shows on 24-track tape, with an eye towards putting out a live album in the summer of 1990 in conjunction with a European tour that was already in the works. (Indeed the band recorded a number of shows on multi-track through the spring of 1990. The eventual album was Without a Net, released in September 1990.)

There’s no question that the band had been on fire for quite a while. If you’re familiar with the CD/DVD releases Truckin’ Up to Buffalo from July 4, 1989, Crimson, White & Indigo from July 7 (Philly) and the video-only Downhill From Here from July 19 (Alpine Valley, Wis.) — not to mention the earlier nationwide telecast of the Summer Solstice show from Shoreline Amphitheater (Mountain View, Calif., June 21) — you know the group was playing at an exceptionally high level, arguably getting stronger each tour since Garcia’s remarkable resurrection following his Summer ’86 meltdown/near-death. The band had also been in the studio working on a new album, Built to Last (released Halloween ’89), and that newish material was starting to sharpen up on the road, too.

When the first few dates of the October ’89 East Coast tour were announced, the Hampton (Virginia) Coliseum, long one of the band’s favorite places (and the site of many a fine Dead show) was not included on the list. You see, there had been some problems outside the last shows the band had played there — too many ticketless folks, too crazy a scene — and the powers-that-be in Hampton weren’t sure they wanted the Dead back at all. This is a problem the Dead encountered a lot during their post “Touch of Grey” renaissance, so the band got creative: Just ten days before the tour was to begin, the Dead suddenly announced a pair of “stealth” shows at Hampton set for October 8 and 9, 1989. There were no mail-order tickets sold for these gigs (as was common in those days); in fact, ducats were only sold in Southern Virginia through local ticket outlets, as a way to keep out the inevitable Dead Head invasion that followed the band everywhere. Instead of “Grateful Dead,” the tickets said “Formerly The Warlocks” on them, and when fans arrived at the gig those nights, the marquee read “The Warlocks.” Non-Deadheads passing the Coliseum must have been very confused seeing a band they’d probably never heard of headlining the arena. That, of course, was the point.

The folks who were lucky enough to score tickets for the “Warlocks” shows in Hampton were treated to two of the most exciting shows of the year. Because not only was the group playing great, they had also taken the time to rehearse some old favorites they hadn’t tackled in a number of years, including “Dark Star,” the glorious triumvirate of “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot!” > “Franklin’s Tower,” “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” (played just once at Shoreline 11 days earlier), and perhaps most surprising of all, “Attics of My Life” (unplayed since 1972!). Not surprisingly, the crowd greeted these “revivals” with ecstasy bordering on hysteria. Can I get a “Woo-hooooo!”?

Over the course of the two concerts, the band offered up what was practically a career retrospective, delving into crowd pleasing nuggets ranging from “Playing in the Band” to “Bird Song” to “Uncle John’s Band” to “Eyes of the World” to a spectacular “Morning Dew”; raucous rockers including “I Need a Miracle,” “Good Lovin’” and that incendiary Brent-Phil stomper “Gimme Some Lovin’”; and recent tunes such as “Foolish Heart,” “Victim or the Crime” and “Built to Last,” among many others (“Dear Mr. Fantasy”! “Stuck Inside of Mobile”! Lotsa good stuff, for sure.) You can find the complete set lists here.

The Formerly The Warlocks box collects every note of the band’s two nights there, spread over six CDs. The concerts were originally recorded by Grateful Dead sound wizard John Cutler in the Le Mobile remote truck, and mixed recently by longtime Grateful Dead-associate and Bob Weir/RatDog studio engineer and front-of-house mixer Mike McGinn. As always, the discs have been mastered to HDCD specifications, so needless to say, it sounds like you’re there, in the best seats in the house.

As this is the latest in a distinguished line of remarkable complete-run boxes (which includes Fillmore West 1969, and Winterland 1973 and Winterland June 1977), the folks at Rhino have gone above and beyond to design a package that’s (almost) as exciting as the music. This time out, they’ve packaged the CDs in a wooden replica of a cigar box (Virginia being a tobacco state dating back to colonial times), and filled it with all sorts of goodies, from a photo-laden historical essay by your humble narrator, to various pieces of cool memorabilia from the time/shows we won’t spoil for you by describing here.

All in all, it’s a potent blast of the Dead at their late ’80s best that you won’t want to miss. To order your copy of the Formerly The Warlocks box, click here!

NOTE: Now available for PRE-ORDER ONLY. Item is estimated to ship on September 7, 2010.

Display on homepage featured list
Off
Custom Teaser

It is a measure of the Grateful Dead’s confidence going into their fall 1989 East Coast tour that they decided to travel with the state-of-the-art Le Mobile remote recording truck so they could capture a bunch of their shows on 24-track tape, with an eye towards putting out a live album in the summer of 1990 in conjunction with a European tour that was already in the works. (Indeed the band recorded a number of shows on multi-track through the spring of 1990. Then eventual album was Without a Net, released in September 1990.)

Feature type

dead comment

user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

I think Jeremy's probably right and the issue will go away by itself, but Fan, if the problem persists send me a PM and we'll put a crew on it. (I'm the "mod," though I always kinda preferred the rockers--old joke...)
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I had the same thing happen but just hit refresh and got right in. While I am here I suppose I should complain about something? Hmm, let me think about it. OK, when are the 67 Shrine Shows going to be released? Oh and I still don't like the packaging. There, take that you, you big Rhino you, because I do know you will ignore the part about the packaging. I know lots of folks have complained and we have never had a response. I won't hold my breath. Hey, I will try this. I have a complete set of Golden Roads, I was the guy in Iowa City (were there more than one?) that subscribed. Does that help? Blair, marye? Packaging? Hello? The number you have dialed is no longer in service. You have now entered the Twilight Zone. Hello in there. Is anyone out there? Packaging of discs in cardboard sleeves, why? This does not compute. We are all living in a Zombie World. Calling Mission Rhino Grateful Dead Control. Hey I am a big John Cipollina fan too, does that help? If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I have faithfully purchased just about every release through this site since before the first road trips, box sets and all. But this is insulting! $80 (after all the addons) for two 89 shows, which are already in wide circulation (and both of which I own and sound just fine)?? No Bonus Disc?!? What am I paying for then? A box and a story about how epic the run was??? Sorry, you lost me. I'll wait until Christmas time and pick it somewhere else for half the price, if I bother at all. How about some reasonably priced early eighties shows, downloadable, for like $13 a pop? Whatever happened to the download series, anyway?
user picture

Member for

16 years 4 months
Permalink

Thankfully for us you're not a mocker.
user picture

Member for

14 years
Permalink

these shows are multitrack mixes so despite the fact that there are good sounding boards circulating. these are definitely going to sound better. the price is steep no doubt but I say keep the multitracks coming. I much prefer them to spending $30 bucks on a road trips that's identical to the widely circulated board expect that it's less complete (RoadTrips 3.3)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

At least somebody is not taking customers for granted and still serving up quality and value. $15/disc all-in for something delightful and suited to the long-tail of demand/taste = EXCELLENT. Peers: we are lucky, so please stop all the bitching. I thought the revival of Dark Star and Attics was pretty cool back then. Good stuff.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I'm pretty damned pleased to see this release. 10/09/89 is one of my favourite shows. In fact, I'm quite sure that I've requested the "Warlock" shows be a release at some point in my postings to this site. So thanks for listening. A Sunshine Daydream DVD and Europe '72 Box Set surely can't be too far behind. I swear that I got goosebumps and the hairs on my arms stood up the first time I listened to 10/09 and heard the audience reaction to the opening notes of Dark Star. (Mind you, I get the exact same sensation every time I watch that scene in "The Shining" where the little kid's riding his tricycle down the hotel corridor). And, what's a Box Set without special packaging. I'm looking forward to getting this one.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Moving on to the next night, October 9th. Reading the comments in the show section, I realize how much enthusiasm for these shows there is: http://www.dead.net/show/october-8-1989. And this is a great souvenir for anyone who was there. There’s no doubt that you can hear the crowd going crazy the entire time, but I think this is a case where the collective memory of the event is a little bit better than the real thing. If I was at these shows, I would buy this, and maybe that’s the point: if you count those who only attended one night, there were probably at least 20,000 people who attended these concerts, most of whom are still alive today. If G.D. & Co. can sell at least a few thousand units of this release, that would probably be a success. Of course, they’re not going to come out and say you probably don’t need this unless you’re a hardcore collector or you were actually there; they’re going to let you figure that out on your own. October 9th is a better show, to be sure, than the previous night. The 1st set is better overall. However, I reiterate that the 1st sets of both these shows could have been chopped up nicely into a fine “dream set” sequence. You’ve got a solid “Feel Like A Stranger” out of the gates, leading into “Built To Last,“ which is not as good as “Foolish Heart,“ and suffers from Jerry tinkering with the MIDI trumpet effect for the solo. “Little Red Rooster” is something reliable and straightforward for them to get their bearings with, and Brent makes some nice contributions. A lively “Ramble On Rose,“ a nicely done “We Can Run,“ and the always cool “Jack-A-Roe” follow, and then “Stuck Inside of Mobile,“ a lively version. Things get off track with “Row Jimmy” with Jerry taking an unnecessarily long flute MIDI solo. The set wraps with “The Music Never Stopped.“ I would chop the 1st sets like this: “Foolish Heart>Walking Blues,“ then “Ramble>Jack>We Can Run,“ followed by “Rooster,” then “Birdsong” from the 8th, then back to the 9th for the set closer of “Music.“ That would give you an 8 song 1st set, and a much better one, that you might actually want to listen to. An example of a crisp, well-played 1st set from this same era is from “Nightfall of Diamonds,“ recorded a week later, so we know it was possible for them to do it. Moving on to the 2nd set of October 9th, things kick off with a somewhat perfunctory “Playin’>Uncle John’s Band,“ a tried and true combination, and one that they could be counted on to screw up night after night. The version here is totally forgettable. Incidentally, they played a similar combination of songs at the “Nightfall” show, and they messed up the “Uncle John’s” badly at that show as well. At one point during the October 9th performance, Brent clearly sings, “how does THIS song go?“ This is all fine and good, but do we really need to hear this? I guarantee that you will rarely, if ever, listen to this part of the show. Moving on to the “Dark Star.“ The roar of the crowd at the opening notes is incredible. This is of course the first “Dark Star” in 5 years at that time, so it’s difficult to judge it against anything else. It represents the return of “Dark Star” as a semi-regular showpiece, and one wonders how much this was really needed. This version isn’t too bad, Jerry delivers the words nicely, and they take it pretty far out into dissonant and abstract sonic landscapes using MIDI effects, but it doesn’t have anywhere near the dynamics or group interplay of old. They really could have put “Dark Star” to rest after 1979 and it wouldn’t have mattered. Next, you have the “Drums>Space” section. Just for a moment, lets be realistic about this obligatory segment in the typical Dead show. It was usually filler. It gave everyone a chance to take a little break, and play with their new effects. And it took up too much time in a show that could have been devoted to a few more songs. Let’s face it, the new MIDI technology was a real mixed blessing. They WAY overused it. They would force it into songs where it didn’t belong and then they would treat the audience to an excessively long workout of MIDI effects during “Drums>Space.” That’s not to say that sometimes it didn’t sound cool, but it was often overdone. I find myself preferring the older “Space” segments from around 1979 to 1983, they played some really beautiful stuff during those years using mostly just their analog effects pedals. Take for example Dick’s Picks 5 and 6, and the more recent Road Trips from Oakland ‘79. Much better and more interesting, in my opinion. Back to the performance. True to its name, “Dark Star” dissolves into some pretty menacing and dark sonic landscapes before giving way to “Drums.” There are a couple of loud, jarring noises during the drum solo that sound unintentional. Then the “Space” section begins - more MIDI. Finally Jerry strums the opening chords of “Death Don’t Have No Mercy.” This is a nice version, very impassioned vocals from Jerry, Bob, and Brent. And who says the Grateful Dead were some kind of unicorns and rainbows hippy band? Whoever says that never listened to them, I assure you. This is dark stuff, but amazing. And briefly, regarding Brent: when he died, the band died, in many ways. They lost a lot when they lost him. I know he has his detractors, but often times his youthful energy and bluesy edge really carried the band on any given evening and inspired Jerry to stretch himself more than he would have. When you think about it, they had maybe about a year or so of interesting shows with Bruce Hornsby, but this also coincided with Jerry’s decline and unfortunately Vince was no Brent. So when you listen to this show, you’re hearing the final days of what was the last great era of the Grateful Dead. After “Death,” they continue with a nice run of “Dear Mr. Fantasy>Hey Jude>Throwin’ Stones>Good Lovin’.” This is a well done section, once again featuring Brent. “Good Lovin’” is especially lively. And of course, the “Attics of My Life” is one of those epic moments, and the crowd was well aware of that. “Attics” is such a gorgeous song, it was one of those that the band really should have performed more, but the harmonies are tough and it takes concentration. This marked the revival of “Attics,” and I haven’t heard every version they did after this but I would bet that this was maybe the best of the bunch. My final verdict is if these shows had been packaged like “Dozin’ At the Knick” I would consider buying it, but at $80.00 I just can’t do it. If you buy this, the only part you’ll listen to consistently will be the last 2/3rds of the 2nd set of the 2nd show. That’s roughly 1 ½ discs out of 6 that you have to buy. In my book, that’s not worth it, unless you just have to have everything, you have money to throw away (and who really does, nowadays?) or you were there, in which case I would probably buy it, too. If you don’t fit into any of the above 3 groups, I would stay away from this one, and I’ve bought a lot of stuff from G.D. & Co. over the years.
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

I enjoyed both your reviews immensely. Though some might find certain parts of what you say heretical, I enjoyed hearing a seasoned head's opinion who doesn't just "roll over and play Dead".I agree with about 90% of both reviews. Blair Jackson et al? You should employ this guy to write reviews of new product on dead,net. Just my opinion. As usual, many will disagree...
user picture

Member for

15 years 2 months
Permalink

and make something available that isn't already in everyone's collection. Seriously, who doesn't own soundboards of these shows. For the price you're asking for these 'over-circulated' shows, an autographed photo of one of the core four should be part of the deal. Also I don't believe the 'positive' comments at all, nice try to make us think that people are stoked about this over-priced release....gimme a break!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Blair does a fine job and probably wouldn't want to share his gig with anybody else, especially in this economy. Unfortunately they probably don't want me writing the promotional notes for new releases, they probably wouldn't sell as much stuff :P
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

While I agree that there were a couple of trainwrecks along the way during these two show's, the energy level was high and IMHO I always enjoyed listening to the boots. With this release, I will likely listen to it as frequently if not more with a multi-track mix. That being said, there are a lot of '70's era shows that many seasoned old timer heads rave about that often leave me thinking I'd rather listen to the '89 Warlocks run, and frequently, I do. This is the era I prefer. I've always been a strong supporter of '87 - '90 and I imagine that a multi-track upgrade will more than solidify my opinion. Between this and the RT 3 No. 4 being 9 discs at a cost of $94, it is still around $10 a disc plus the deluxe bonus packaging, which is a great value. I suspect that, and hypethetically speaking of course, if May 7-9 '77 were released as a $94 9 disc box set (yes I know Cornell is missing from the vault), a lot of the same people would still find something to complain about. "It cost's too much", "Why would I pay for it when I can download it for free", "It's widely available as a bootleg". Do yourself a favor by supporting your favorite band. The more you support them, the more stuff from your favorite era will be released. All of life isn't a "miracle ticket". Well maybe it is in Nickleback and Jonas Brother's land.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

thanks for taking the time to write your reviews MGD, Interesting reading. But hell I just keep buying this stuff whatever. Some I listen to once and never again. Some over and over. Some I come back to after months and years. Some i just like a few parts but not all, some I can only listen to in one long session. Some real turkeys I give a chance to and find I like. Some 'classics' I loose interest in. There is no accounting for it really. I'm a lucky guy that I can find the money to buy them these days (was not always the case believe me) and to happily know they are sitting there on the shelf. does this mean I am a deadhead or a sad loser? Maybe both ;-)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

I am so unhappy with Rhino and Blair et al. This box set is a rip off and I won’t buy it for the following reasons: They say it’s complete shows, but where is the bonus disc of audience chatter between sets? I was there, maybe, and the clowns at Rhino failed to include the sounds of the crowd during intermission – they just don’t understand the Dead, obviously. And only 6 full CDs – I want at least 9 or 10 minimum. And why should I but it with no DVD of the crew setting up the stage? Anyway, I can’t believe they released this particular year. I prefer the year before, or is it the year after? Whatever, I want my favourite year released, and I’m certain this isn’t it. So I won’t buy it. I’m also upset about the mix. When I listened to the free download on my Korean laptop with a speaker the size and audio quality of a baby’s butt, the bass sounded a bit thin. So I’ll have to boycott this release as the mix is obviously dud. On China Cat, about 4 min 35 seconds in, I distinctly heard a possible wrong note. How can they release this show when anyone can tell this wasn’t the all-time hottest, most sparkling sonic fest known to human kind? Also, I don’t like the order of the first set, so Rhino should have edited it to suit my particular disdain for Mexicali Blues being featured with the initial five songs. What’s worse is the cost. I know that many very dedicated and talented people worked very hard on the mix and mastering, on the design, packaging, distribution, website etc, but they should do this for free. I don’t care about food on their table or a roof over their heads, or their children’s education, this is the GD, so you should be giving me this box for free. In fact, I really want it all for free, but only as a download and only of my favourite shows. However, I kinda want the box and photos though as they look pretty cool, but they must be hand delivered by Hillary Clinton, with no delay and before anyone else gets them, otherwise I will write and complain.....
user picture

Member for

16 years 4 months
Permalink

...for writing that! I was getting ready to write something similar, but you beat me to it, so thanks again! Now I don't have to do it too!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

This is a website that allows people to trash their products before they even come out, and yet you have people who don't believe the "positive comments" that are posted. I have been debating whether or not I should buy this collection and I have decided to go ahead and make the purchase. I think it the boxed set is a bit pricey, but then again, these guys need to make money like anyone else, and I don't think their ability to sell CD's is on par with Lady Gaga's. In other words, they are catering to a small market of people. And I don't think anyone needs to be an economics major to understand that companies or corporations that don't make enough money to justify their existence tend to go out of business. I'm not aware of any other place I can go to that puts out GD merchandise on a regular basis, so I'm going to continue to patronize them. And I am so tired of reading people criticizing this show or that year; if you don't like it don't buy it. Any realistic fan knows that the Dead had their share of awesome, great, good, fair and bad shows from any year or era. Do you know how incredibly snobby it sounds when certain people dismissively say, "Anything from the 80's or 90's sucked"? How insulting do you think that is to Phil, Bobby, Bill and Mickey, when they hear people say that anything they played during that time doesn't have any merit? I got on the bus in Fall '83. I saw some great shows during the 74 times I saw them. A good example of some of the top shows I saw were the run of shows at Madison Square Garden in 1990. Dick's Pick's released the 9/16/90 show and RT released portions of 9/19/90 and 9/20/90. Some really top notch stuff. I'd put up the China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider from 9/20/90 against any other version from any other time period, and there were plenty other songs from this run that rival their "best versions". Well, I've spent enough time on this subject. Thanks to all who took the time to read this. "Believe it if you need it, or leave it if you dare."
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

How about a new section on this website called "Critics Corner"? All the people who don't like something can neg out there and we can censor free speech when a new release happens?? C'mon people, Deadheads are notorious for not agreeing on anything. Not only do you not have to buy it but you also don't have to read the comments if it bothers you so much. Sheesh!
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

You can do some research here:10-8-89 Help on the Way>Slipknot>Franklin’s Tower>Victim or the Crime>Eyes of the World - 10/6/08 10-8-89 Miracle>The Wheel>Gimme Some Lovin'>Morning Dew, We Bid You Goodnight - 10/5/09 10-9-89 Playing In The Band>Uncle John's Band>Playing In the Band>Dark Star - 10/5/09 The dates at the end are when these snippets appeared on the Taper's Section of this website.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Steampunk said '....these guys need to make money like anyone else, and I don't think their ability to sell CD's is on par with Lady Gaga's.....' ,,,..well on other hand I don't thnk they spend as much on their wardrobes than the esteemed Lady G either.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I have no idea who that is and I get the idea I should feel blessed. Back to some Robbie Basho, Karen Dalton, Incredible String Band, Can, Sonny Rollins, Henry Kaiser, Carter Family, Bill Monroe and Grateful Dead Live at Betty Nelson's Organic Raspberry Farm on 1968-09-02. cosmicbadger, why are you prompting me to help this whole discussion of why we love or hate Rhino and all he does and all who work for him digress to the point of mindless babbling? If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I'm not sure I could prompt you to do anything Hal. We have shared many happy months rhino hunting in the past. But Blair says we have to be nice them now and anyway, I gave them my best shots with no apparent impact. So what is left to us but mindless babbling and an unhealthy interest in Lady Gaga?
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I never said you "have to be nice them now." I said don't attack them for things that are not their fault (music selections for RTs and boxes). By the way, not that I have any credibility around here as an objective voice about any of these products (though I should... I'm still a fan first and foremost; always will be), but I got my advance copy of the box in the mail and I gotta say, it's a really nice piece of work. I hadn't seen the finished product until today. Imaginative design; plenty of cool goodies inside. I'm gonna crank it up this weekend...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

We know you're an insider, but do you have to rub it in??? Just kidding, bro. I can't wait to get a hold of this myself. "Let The Good Times Roll"!!!
user picture

Member for

16 years 4 months
Permalink

Gotta say, the Rhythm Devils show tonight in Foxboro got cancelled. Bummer, especially 'cause I live about ten minutes from the venue. I was really looking forward to seeing these guys. Davy Knowles has one hell of a voice. But on the bright side, the $70 refund for the two tix covers my order for the '89 box (not that I had a problem with the price, just sayin'). So I guess it's Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale and reruns of 'Jersey Shore' for me tonight. But speaking of Foxboro, and '89 Dead, the boys played a really cool show at the old Sullivan Stadium in July of '89 -- just feet from where tonight's RD show was supposed to take place. Sigh.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 2 months
Permalink

I almost feel a need to leave some dismissive or depressive comment about how some obsess about this or that but never exhibit the ability to use proper grammar or avail themselves of spell check, but I will attempt to keep my humility intact.The product being offered is what it is. Take it or leave it. Myself, I have chose to take it. No, I am not rich but I chose to purchase it. Yes, I have boots of these shows but I want to let the powers that be know that I value quality over quantity. I will not/ do not purchase everything but I am sensitive to the fact that I am part of a small audience and if I don't support the process it will and should go away. Constructive criticism seems to be a lost art. Disparaging something without understanding in a defensive manner under the guise of entertainment is a disheartening trend. I cannot condone it. Rise above or you will sink to it's level.
user picture

Member for

16 years 4 months
Permalink

I got an email notification that the show had been cancelled due to inclement weather. No one is taking any chances due to Hurricane Earl, I guess. I gotta say though, the weather in the Foxboro area has been pretty mild, just a few spurts of heavy rain, then nothing. Not sure what is going on elsewhere.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 11 months
Permalink

okay,so initially i was thrilled about this release having become a relatively recent convert to the dead, but now after reading all the posts previous I'm in two minds -I have no late eighties dead at all and can,at a stretch, afford this - but will I be listening to it as much as, say, the 77 box which still gets pretty heavy rotation? I have read the comments on the site regarding the two gigs and they are uniformly positive, in fact there are many calling for an official release. Now that that's happened, it seems all people can do is moan - I'm a big fan of many other bands, and I can tell you no one gets spoiled like deadheads - other bands may have one live realese every few years if lucky.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

There are great shows from '89. Nightfall of Diamonds is another '89 release worth checking out. The '89 sound is very different to '77, you should obtain a sample. There are many whingers on these boards. In my view, complaints about logistics (especially for Deadheads not resident in the USA) have been warranted in the past, but the process has been improved somewhat. I don't understand complaints about the music. The people involved in the selections are very knowegable about Grateful Dead music and the limits imposed by the vault. I trust them to make good choices and so far, I reckon that trust has been amply rewarded. Ain't no luck, learned to duck. Happy Trails
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Hooray!! In a few days, I'll be feasting on some earcandy! Now which to listen first? RT vol. 3 #4 or the Warlocks Box? Who am I kidding? "Never give your love my friend, unto a Foolish Heart"...sounds like a great way to begin this auditory journey......
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

hee-hee, well sports fans, what we have here is one of those bittersweet moments but surely a positive one indeed! As one of the "lucky ones" and broseph, let me tell ya, I was truly lucky to get to see both these shows--as there were many significant reasons why I should not have made it.... In fact this could be one of those "nofinway" stories, but a, now is not the time etc,, and "if I told ya all that went down it would burn off both your little ears"! that all being said....the overall mind meld of the historical context, being there, how etc I came to be there, the shows,being in love, and just the fact that it was fucking hampton and much of 89 kicked ass, I WILL get this. Now, that being said, were these "some of the best shows of all time" and "why all this 89" etc, well, deep subject I know...ahem, a, yeah, these were up there just because of the reason above, FOR ME, for good or for ill, but ALSO, though, yeah there were some slop moments etc, but cheese and rice folks, just listen to the rest, and BEING THERE really was kinda a big deal at the time, the X factor in that place seemed to always be there, (one of my top fav indoor venues of all time) and because of the whole Warlocks/stealth deal the factor was amped up "to 11"!!! Many of you have heard/said over the years "i felt like I was trippin, even though I was'nt" well folks that is my main recolection of these shows,just one big x factor dream, ya know "it all rolls into one"........and it was one beautiful dream mi amigos. I think just like the 83 hartford dp's, even the Dozin/knick somewhat--you really had to be there. Im so glad I have the discs, but I still bow down to the gods that I was fortunet enough to be at all those shows (and so many more extraordinary ones) But alas it often just can never be like the real deal, siiiighhhhh! So, so much as far as being there. As for all the 89's I believe at least some in the band have high regards for the post comma, pre vinny years, and I believe bob has even said recently how he personally thinks its one of the top ereas. So that and the fact that they have lots of technicly at least high quality recordings from this time has to factor in. Now as for recordings, So far,over the years, I have only heard partsof these shows on not so good cassetes, so the thought of multis is great, but who dat at the helm of this one???? Without a net hints at what material from this tour could/should sound like so???? also, the nightfalls disc is pretty sweet tooo, so, we shall see. Yes it is a few bucks, but people, this has gone round and round, at least there is someone willing to give ya'll something TO bitch about, ya know there could just be nothing but ol boots etc.......The real shitty part of this stick is no video....for the price and alll the hulablo of making it a box set etc, they could of thrown in a video as I believe I have been acuretly told that there is video. Hell even if it was not so good, just for the whole historic/box factor video would of made it, thus the bittersweet...great release, but no vid...but alas, as long as it sounds great Im one who is grateful that these shows finally found the light of day....because these will always hold a important spot in the attics of my life!
user picture

Member for

13 years 11 months
Permalink

The tickets are still available in Hartford for around $110. In Boston near the stage I saw some for $250 however. This is with Ticketmasters markup.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I just noticed that in the liner notes for the box--which many of you should be receiving soon!--I erroneously refer to Hampton as being in "Northern" Virginia. It is, of course, in Southern Virginia. I apologize to proud Virginians and also to lovers of geography (of which I am one). Haven't spent much time in that part of the state. Now, ask me about Culpeper and Waynesboro and Harrisonburg and I can tell you somethin' about those places--or at least what they were like 30 and 40 years ago...
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

... and tomorrow the good folks from Dead.Net will have all our preorders packed up and ready for the postman to pick up and bring to our eager selves. Can hardly wait for these good tunes to reach my ears. On the BUS since 12-29-1968, and I'm never getting off. "When I die bury me deep, put two speakers at my feet, pair of ear phones on my head, and always play The Grateful Dead."
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

I just want to say thanks to G.D. & Co. for providing a great website, and a great forum for us fans to commentate. Perhaps anytime one leaves a critical post amongst these pages one should preface one's remarks with such a disclaimer. That being said, and with the caveat that I have bought a ton of stuff from this site over the years, I'd like to reiterate that I don't think these shows merit deluxe box treatment. I'm not saying there wasn't some good music played at these concerts, I'm questioning the wisdom of releasing the shows in this manner. And there seems to be a prevailing attitude here from some that we shouldn't criticize, or we should just accept everything that's released because if we express too much discontent then G.D. & Co. will just pack up and close up shop and stop releasing stuff. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say don't worry folks, they're not going to do that anytime soon. And yes, in many ways, us fans are spoiled because there is an embarrassment of riches in the vault that keeps on giving. However, I can't abide the notion that we should just trust the powers that be and not voice any criticism or else we're being somehow disloyal or bad fans. It's clear that they read these pages and they take the criticism seriously; I think this release reflects the fact that there is a steady drumbeat among posters for complete, warts-and-all shows. However, the notion that giving any negative criticism is akin to whining and is blasphemous or something is silly, in my book. It just goes against common sense.
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months
Permalink

Pretty stoked to see this show is finally released. I must admit there is a bit of sticker shock going on for me right now. $70 is pretty steep for two shows, pine box and all. I am gonna have to wait a while to pick this one up. Thank God they ditched the bonus disc idea, I think GDM should just pack in an extra bonus disc and make a 3 disc set a four disc set and keep the costs down. The Road trips set is nice too, but I think I have the Cornell show already, though I am not sure. Might pass on both releases this time around. Fillmore East 1970 was the best vault release...EVER! Might wait for the next round of releases. I totally survivd without the 1977 Winterland release. Winterland 1973 in epic, but I found a copy on eBay for 50.00, bonus disc included. I like the fancy packaging in the Hampton set, but I move the CDs from the official packaging to jewel cases immediately upon receipt to reduce scratches and blemishes, so it would essentially sit on my shelf empty and collecting dust like the Winterland 73 set and all of my Road trips sets. I think I am gonna pass on this one.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 11 months
Permalink

has anyone received their's yet and if so can they tell us how it sounds???
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 7 months
Permalink

Also desperte for feedback on this?
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

I received a shipping notice that my order was shipped on the 6th (Labor Day?). I went with standard USPS so it might be awhile before my order arrives.I ordered August 27th. You can click on order status on this site and enter your email address to get an instant email response on if your order has shipped. Works great!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 6 months
Permalink

Received my copy of the Warlocks box and Road Trips. I splurged for overnight shipping. Listening to Disc 1 on my 10+ yr old cheap Creative computer speakers at work, and it sounds GREAT! (Can only imagine what it sounds on nice systems) The box is cool, lots of goodies. Had these boards for years, definitely an upgrade, hopefully the 2nd set discs are seamless (hate the fades sometimes use when a set is on multi discs). Thanks to everyone involved in continuing to provide us with excellent music.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 3 months
Permalink

WOW! What a package! When I first saw the price for this set I was hesitant, but got it anyway. I am so glad I placed that order! The box itself is a great piece. There are a bunch of goodies inside. And the music - it sounds great! The liner notes are wonderful. This is truly a pleasant surprise. My thanks to all whose hard work made this possible. You do so much to keep this alive for all of us.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

It's just awesome. I'm listening to it now and loading it into my iPod. I love all the '89-'90 shows they have put out, beginning with Without a Net. Everyone has a right to complain-and it seems like we all do on this website- but the fact is, I check this site every day about two weeks after each order ships to see what is coming next. God bless the powers that be for giving us such wonderful products. I know orders get f*cked up every now and then and it's a little corporate now that Rhino is in charge of more of the product, but how lucky are we that we even get to complain about all the Road Trips, specialty box sets, merchandise, etc. that is available to us? Could you imagine back in the 80's or 90's being able to have all this available? No way. It's so exciting to see what they picked to put on the next Road Trips (or whatever product comes) in a way similar to wondering what the boys were going to play at any show we were lucky enough to attend. We complained about that, too, and now we'd kill to go back and see even the worst show they ever played. Keep voicing your opinions-you have to-just don't complain or whine about it. It's better to complain about stuff that's coming out than to have to complain that nothing actually is.
user picture

Member for

16 years 7 months
Permalink

On a positive note, I just want to point out that beginning with the 5/15/70 Road Trips release, I've noticed that the service is markedly improved. Shipping notices are more prompt and include tracking numbers. The overall functioning seems more efficient. It would seem that the joker people in Van Nuys have been cut out of the game entirely. If I am wrong about this, then the people manning the phones are just plain better than before.
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

...that service is getting better and the product that is coming out from Rhino is really high quality. Lots of folks are ever so grateful to have this stuff. Yeah, it's expensive and it may not be the thing that every individual wants but we are lucky to have A CHOICE it at all. Nice thing we sit in the fat part of the demographic now (baby boomers who have disposable income). As long as the number of units sold stays up there will be an almost endless offering for us to choose from. And it is just that, a choice. Thanks Rhino. We know it's a business decision but we're still happy to plunk down the bucks for nicely packaged releases from years we like.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

I agree that customer service is MUCH better than last fall when we had to talk to someone half the world away that was on a cell-phone, spoke English as a 2nd or 3rd language & had shitty music while we were on hold. Thanks for fixing that mess.