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    clayv
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    Due July 10th, WORKINGMAN’S DEAD: 50th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION will be available as a three-CD set and digital equivalents featuring the original album with newly remastered sound, plus an unreleased complete concert recorded on February 21, 1971 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. The show was mixed from the 16-track analog master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir’s Marin County TRI Studios and mastered by Grammy® Award-winning engineer, David Glasser, along with restoration and speed correction by Plangent Processes. 2/21/71 delivers a plethora of songs from both Workingman’s Dead and the band’s follow-up album, American Beauty. Some highlights include Weir’s moving vocal take on “Me and Bobby McGee,” Pigpen’s whiskey-seasoned growl on “Easy Wind” and a stellar run through “Uncle John’s Band” to close out the show.

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  • Hey Pedro
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    WMD 50th

    Can anyone weigh in how this Port Chester show compares to the one released on Three from the Vault?

  • daverock
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    1st Greatest

    TIMP-according to Deadbase, the first one was played on the first night of this run-2/18/71. It was also played on the 19th and the 20th by the looks of things.

  • TimP
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    OK -- here's my take.
    1.The…

    OK -- here's my take.
    1.The remastering of WMD sounds fantastic - better than the box set for sure. The vocals in particular really shine.
    2. No thank - I don't really want lots of out-takes tagged on the end -
    3. The live concert is absolutely fantastic -- one of the best I've heard from this era. It was this being a multi-track that tipped me into buying this release -- and it's great. Perhaps Greatest Story doesn't make the grade but that's the only track that doesn't. Is this the 1st performance ??

  • RainDead
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    SKYOCEAN

    Yes, the release is HDCD encoded.

  • RainDead
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    WORKINGMAN'S DEAD 50TH ANNIVERSARY PICTURE DISC

    Does anyone know if the picture disc is in stock and ready for shipping? I haven't received a shipping confirmation yet. Someone on FB said there was a delay.

  • SkyOcean
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    Is Workingman's Dead 50th CD HDCD encoded?

    Is Workingman's Dead 50th Anniversary CD HDCD encoded?

    Thanks!

  • Colin Gould
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    UK ORDERS

    I’ll say it again. If you are in Europe then it is foolish to buy any general issue release through dead.net. My copy was delivered by Amazon.co.uk on the day of release with no payments to Royal Mail for handling charges. The lenticular cover is great. The WMD disc sounds good and I’ll get round to the live discs tomorrow. I do buy all the limited edition issues via dead.net and I’m grateful they keep issuing them all.

  • Vguy72
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    Nothing wrong....

    ....with saving time AND money.

  • icecrmcnkd
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    Denied

    Tracking says estimated delivery today but USPS hasn’t yet received the handoff from UPS.

    Yup, should have gone with Amazon and saved a few $.

  • skwimite
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    Just to echo some previous…

    Just to echo some previous comments, Amazon has it cheaper and shipping is free if you have Prime. Had I ordered my copy through them I would have saved about $14.00 total and probably had it by now. As it is the tracking number provided suggests a Tuesday delivery. Lesson learned. Anything that is a general release I will not purchase from dead.net. Shame on you folks. And while I'm at it, highlights of the outtakes should have been part of the package along with a live show from the period, not one from a year later. I'm sure it's fine but WTF?

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Due July 10th, WORKINGMAN’S DEAD: 50th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION will be available as a three-CD set and digital equivalents featuring the original album with newly remastered sound, plus an unreleased complete concert recorded on February 21, 1971 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. The show was mixed from the 16-track analog master tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir’s Marin County TRI Studios and mastered by Grammy® Award-winning engineer, David Glasser, along with restoration and speed correction by Plangent Processes. 2/21/71 delivers a plethora of songs from both Workingman’s Dead and the band’s follow-up album, American Beauty. Some highlights include Weir’s moving vocal take on “Me and Bobby McGee,” Pigpen’s whiskey-seasoned growl on “Easy Wind” and a stellar run through “Uncle John’s Band” to close out the show.

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....one of the bright parts of 2020, is all this cool stuff coming out. I'm definitely getting the t-shirt and they actually have a dog coat for sale? I don't dress my dogs, but, still, that's pretty cool.

...this is cool. Glad to see more Port Chester '71 coming out. The 18th is only a matter of time! This is a welcome surprise to be sure, and as VGuy says, it makes for some good news in otherwise tough times.

Be well All!
Sixtus

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Why don't you just release the 2-21-71 show as a stand alone? We already have a remastered Workingman's as part of The Golden Road box set. This isn't the right way to treat your loyal fans. Rip. Off.

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I want the dog hair shirt.

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This looks like a very cool release and I can"t wait to get it. I would have preferred a show from 1970, like 9/20/70 , but happy to get whatever they release, beggars can"t be choosers.

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Was there. Internet says it was the same day as the Mississippi Delta tornado outbreak. Surprising bonus is not from 1970. Not complying though. Not going to comply one bit. OK, a Carhartt jacket. That has gravitas. Had to buy one.
Will buy CDs later.

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Words from tptb...The hatchet does include Jerry’s missing finger, but it’s a limited finger release of 250. I guess there are only so many extra missing digits, so it’s more of a collectible than a mainstream finger. Supposedly there’s a premium option that comes with a ring.

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In reply to by L. Mo.

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If you don't buy it, it's not a rip-off.

Proceed accordingly.

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In reply to by Zuckfun

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as if the GD needed more of my money

but that 2/21/71 show sealed the deal

thank you, PTB!

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….. Jesus, is there no mercy for a brother out of work, struggling to eek by on his wife's money? Ok, nice 3 disc set, not a lot of money (per se), but a picture disc AND a LIMITED edition blob-ish colored record! I've told these bastards time and time again, stop with the limited vinyl, I ain't got no turntable.

I have to admit, I struggled over the apron. On holidays when I'm cooking and cleaning in the kitchen AND I'm dressed nice for the day, I always wish I had a apron. Even those damn things you slip up your sleeves to keep shirt sleeves clean.

I have the show and it sounds damn good, probably the board from the day. I downloaded their free digital download of Casey Jones. 1 minute comparison in opening verse, theirs sound fuller and richer. Nice box and I do like the vinyl (yes I ordered both :-) )

Oh yeah, one more thing,,,, the axe is odd?!?

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Oooo... I want that hatchet!

And so happy to see the included show getting the full treatment I like to see; Jeffery at TRI, David Glasser AND Plangent Processes. Wow! With the clarity of ‘70 and ‘71 recordings, this is going to sound fantastic.

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The Deluxe set, mug, hat, and t-shirt because I have zero will power.

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In reply to by RobGratefulCos1342

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I know, right! My 50th set for each release is the CD set, the picture disk and the t-shirt. But I want the hatchet, too! LOL.

I can now only imagine what they’re going to do for American Beauty for merch.

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...cd set only, no other swag today. Would it be in poor taste for dead.net or, far more likely, Garcia Family Provisions, to sell a hatchet like that with the Jerry missing finger hand logo adorning it? Just taking the temperature in the room.

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As I think I mentioned one of the last times I was around these parts, outside of the Dave's Picks subscription, I'm pretty much limiting my purchases to 1968-71, unless something else really superb in my view comes along.

So here we go! Besides, my Workingman's copy is an old LP from about 44 years ago, I figure. Grooves may be getting a bit worn.

Been a whining boy for more Port Chester Feb '71 (and Ark '69) for quite awhile, I don't deny my name. So we're makin some progress here.

Good job, Dead.net.

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In reply to by frosted

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on the 3 CD set. Full show from '71 is NICE! Wonder why no full show for Aox?

Would have loved a 69/70 show more, but no biggie.

Nice schwag too! Particularly the hat, mug, and jacket. Had to pass, however. Hard times.

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I’m a material guy, but I may finally be up for the digital download on this one.

The hatchet is a quality Swedish axe, Hults Bruk Tarnaby Hatchet. If you don’t have a quality hatchet.....I’m eyeing the shop apron, a working mans outfit.

Still to go in 2020:
DaP 35, 36
American Beauty with the assumed bonus
Record Store Day, 5-9-77 vinyl
Fall Box that Dave alluded to in the June 76 video (unless that Box is the AB 50th release)

Keep ‘em coming Dave, we’re not getting any younger.

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Michael McClure, one of the original beat poets who made his debut back in the mid '50s along with Ginsburg, Ferlinghetti, Gary Snyder, Jack Kerouac, and all those cats has passed away age 87. I didn't realize he'd been teaching in Oakland since 1963 at a small arts college, near where I lived at one point. Said he never made a dime off his poetry, but the teaching paid the bills. He also wrote the tune "Mercedes Benz" made famous by Janis Joplin.

I remember him touring around with Ray Manzarek of the Doors a few decades ago too, which they mention in this article about his passing:

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/books/michael-mcclure-famed-beat-poet-…

Also wanted to give kudos to forensicdoc for the Dap 34 photos he shared. Cool stuff.

I remember Doc once said he didn't think they'd release more Port Chester '71 too, and coming from the '71 guru, that was a let down at the time to hear that he thought that. Glad to see that proven wrong with this release, but maybe he was talking only about not expecting another full box set from that?

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The CD set, obvi.

I have a very nice, still very new vinyl that sounds great but it doesn't have a cool picture on it that'll make me dizzy if I watch it spin around for awhile.

I have a nice, still very new T shirt with the album cover on the front, in a tan / off white hue. But what if that one gets dirty and I need a backup Workingman's Dead T shirt for the annual Workingman's Dead festival or something ?

I have a shit ton of coffee mugs, but what if one or more of them were to meet an untimely end due to a hatchet related accident ? I'd probably need a new hatchet then too.

Thank you dead.net for having my back covered for all of these extremely likely high risk contingencies.

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In reply to by Roguedeadguy

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....just got my stimulus check direct deposited a couple hours before the Workingmans announcement w/ cool schwag. Ugh.
Hey roguedeadguy. Does your almost new tee have the band on the back? I have a pretty worn tee that doesn't.

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Okay, it's the 50th anniversary of the studio release, but why a '71 show? as much as I would have liked to have seen the complete box set of the 6 Capitol Theatre shows, all I can think is that perhaps we are going to get a full 1970 box set with the American Beauty Anniversary release. Fingers crossed!
This, however, is still a welcome addition to the collection, Workingman's Dead is my favorite Grateful Dead studio release, along with one of my Desert Island Discs- Europe '72 Complete. it's not cheating to have a Boxset as a Disc is it?

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I don't like putting a Feb 1971 show with Workingman's Dead. The album's songs started seeing live performances in 1969, recorded in early 1970, released June 1970. Then we get American Beauty in November 1970. So a Feb 71 show with Workingman's? Not even the Workingman's era, man. (Not that I won't buy it ... but what's coming with American Beauty? A 1972 show?)

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Wish this included a Blu Ray of the surround mix;(. I alreay have it but they are very expensive and would like more people to be able to hear how awesome it is.

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In reply to by Sydney Prentice

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Great show, I haven't heard in a while. I think I'd rather have a 1970 show than this one, but why complain. I deeply appreciate that 2/21/ gets to see the official light of day here.

If Workingman's Dead 50th gets a 3 disc set, will American Beauty get the same treatment, or better? Perhaps we'll get another show from this 1971 Port Chester run, I really do hope so.

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I was just raving about this show when I listened to on it's past anniversary date.

WOW!!! Right from the first note.

Thanks Dave, Norm, and dead.net

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Hey rockers!!!!

2/21/71??? Awesome, inspired, wonderful out-of-the-box thinking. I love it!! Even if it doesn't make sense...…...

That being said, what about the show itself? This is a show you NEVER hear about. When it comes to Port Chester, 2/18 gets the love. 2/19 gets smaller doses of intense liking. HOWEVER, I think if one listens with an open mind, it can very rewarding. Solid, well played show, especially Easy Wind, Ripple (second time around), Next Time You See Me, China/Rider, and Cumberland Blues.

I think in the past that I never said no more Port Chesters would come out, just that I thought there wouldn't be a box set release. Sadly, this seals the deal, there will NOT be a PC box set...……….

I'm still hoping for 11/16/70 to be released with the AB 50th...……………

Rock on rockers!

Doc

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Just pre-ordered the CD set but in the tradition of being a chronic malcontent, I had been keeping my powder dry for this release on the assumption it would be a 5.1 surround mix. Not that a remaster isn't welcome but since 5.1's were done some years ago (and no longer commonly available) it seems like a missed opportunity. I guess AB will be treated in the same fashion.

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In reply to by Sydney Prentice

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Why a '71 show? Because they cover half the album, plus it's the 7th or 8th show of the year. ..and most importantly, it's a multi-track.. more or less a studio grade recording which pairs nicely with the studio album.

My two cents.. but when you look at it that way it makes perfect sense. Remember, most of 1970 went un-recorded after Bear got busted on Bourbon Street effectively starting the first day of February.

...but hey, I am not dissing 1970, one of the most glorious years the band ever had. Can you imagine what life would be like if Betty, Rex or Kid (or Bear) recorded the whole year?

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Has all of the Workingman's Dead lp's tunes played that day. All 8, I am guessing they do not have it in the vault, but that would have been the show to release with this rerun of Workingman's Dead. Plus it was during the NE college run that saw the Dead in fine form going from college to college to help with the anti-war effort, even being smuggled onto campus in a bread truck to play a show. There were a lot of great shows that May of 70, including the Kirkland, Mo show on the 14th which has the famous Phil shout out "Fuck the Pigs". Workingman's is one of my favorites with great tunes on it, and with the release of another full show in glorious redone sound, it makes it a gotta have.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Still seems a bit of an unusual pairing to me. A 1970 show with no Working Mans songs would have made a better fit for me, in that it would have given a rounded picture of what they were like at that given point in time. In fact, a jam filled electric show from 1970 would have been the perfect compliment to the studio album.
I'll still be getting it though - especially if Amazon UK stock it.

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I'm sure this will be a killer show, I can't wait to hear it. That 5/9/70 show sure sounds like a winner. Hopefully we will get a 1970 release with the American Beauty 50th release. They have a fantastic sounding version of 9/20/70 on the archive, so I assume they must have a great copy in the vault. That has 12 songs from American Beauty and Working Mans Dead on it. Hopefully that show will be released one day.

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In reply to by unkle sam

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Nevermind.. it's the 5/7/70 MIT Show, I was looking at the 5/6/70 setlist.

5/9 was Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Worcester, MA.. which had a limited setlist and only Black Peter. Perhaps I'm easily confused.

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The MIT show of 5/7/70 was not recorded due to Bear's legal issues.

Somehow, the MIT free show on the previous day was recorded. THAT would have gone nicely with the WD 50th...….

Rock on rockers!

Doc

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Nice. You get the bread and the butter. Workingman's and Port Chester.

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In reply to by daverock

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Amazon UK have the set up for sale this evening. Strangely they are offering what appears to be the same item at two different prices

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Definitely not knocking the pick of a Port Chester show, just find it odd given Dave has been a very vocal proponent of establishing the importance of analyzing shows within the era in which they occurred, the whole backstory of the sound, the lineup, the song choices, and the Port Chester run, legendary though it is, is not what I think of when I think of a show that typifies the Workingman's Dead era. That run saw the debut of material like Bertha, Bird Song, Greatest Story, Playing in the Band, and songs like Casey Jones, Uncle John's Band, and Cumberland Blues had been well worked out and gotten nailed down by this time. The sounds of the newest material was as far afield from the Workingman's material as the Workingman's stuff had been to Dark Star, China Cat, and St Stephen with or without The Eleven. So I'm baffled. But I'm also happy, because this means the Port Chester shows have been returned, and that they are the 16 tracks, which rules them out from a Dave's, but doesn't preclude another Port Chester show coupling with American Beauty (because, why not?), and then somewhere down the road a smaller box of the rest of Port Chester, since it always seemed like a big box like $200+ like Spring 90 and TOO, with or without the From the Vault show, still woulda been at least 5 shows of 16 track. I ordered my copy. Hope my Dave's 34 beats it to my house.

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In reply to by skwimite

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There are several Workingman's and American Beauty surround dvds available at reasonable prices on ebay. They're totally spectacular and, with all due respect, the commemorative release won't come near to competing with the hi-res surround mixes if your system is so equipped. So this is a challenge for my limited budget. I listened to the new release's live sample cut, and Phil's tone is awesome and right out front in the mix. But money's tight, civilization may be collapsing, and that hatchet looks pretty useful. Hmm … decision time.

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ok, got dead.net email at work, got home opened up my dead-base to check it all out , great show happy that it is a complete show and then put on 2/19/71 , then i saw the the set list for 2/18/71 which i dont have , crap , all of the dead first cuts of some of there all-time great songs , just wandering why not 2/18 must be sound quality, still grateful for this show thank you to crew at the gd family , so looks like a 1970 box coming ?? cheers

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In reply to by otheronerat

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Sounds awesome and I hope they Plangentize it.

Maybe it will be the American Beauty bonus.

The live show(s) that accompanied "Grateful Dead" (the 1967 LP) were from July 1966.

I halfway agree with all the comments but to me just doesn't seem weird. There's limited stuff to pull from 1970, the album came out in June, these shows were from February the following year and they're multi-track and sound really good. I'm all for more 1970.. it hits my sweet spot.

It might just have something to do with looking at the Portchester run and deciding where they fit best. There's six back to back shows, all more or less excellent performances with excellent sound but with a lot of overlap. Plus.. one has already been released. They were hitting the road with both WMD and AB material and debuting a bunch of new stuff for what would become Skullfuck. I was one of the ones that wanted a Portchester box.. but agree with the sentiment that this probably would not most cohesive offering.

It makes sense to me but I do see all the other points made. No right or wrong.. but I am happy to see it and can't wait to listen for myself and see how it sounds. My guess is head and antlers above Three From the Vault (another weird offering, if you ask me, but I digress).

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It's the 50 anniversary of the 5 anniversary of The Grateful Dead and end of an era.

I know they recently found that video from 1970 included in the LST video.
"A Live Performance Filmed At The Hollywood Festival In The U.K. In 1970"

I think they found some other 1970 stuff or may have had stuff returned to the vault. Dave has played an Other One from Red Vest from 6/12 a few times in the Taper Section he said "the band and tapes sound great", and we have not even a set list for this show.

If there is I think they been holding on to them waiting for the 50th of the 5th anniversary.

Wishful thinking? Maybe! Man this would blow my socks off if came to be true.

Can't wait this shows great!

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I cant find the aoxo deluxe 2 cd set. Was this a limited ed.. I missed that opportunity.

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In reply to by carlo13

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....5.5.65 was the first known Warlocks show. Did we all miss that yesterday? THAT'S IT!!! I'M GETTING MY DAMN HATCHET! The AOXOMOXOA 2 disc was not limited and was the only way to get the 50th CD release. Physical sold out here, but still on Amazon....here you go.
https://www.amazon.com/Aoxomoxoa-50th-Anniversary-Grateful-Dead/dp/B07K…

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In reply to by Colin Gould

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Colin..thanks for the note. Very strange, listing it twice at two different prices-they both do appear to be exactly the same.
Having looked at the track list of the 1971 show it seems an even stranger choice. Only 4 Working Mans songs when I thought the inclusion of songs from that album was the reason it had been chosen. And no obvious jamming material in either set. I can't help wondering if these songs sound significantly different from versions I already have.

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