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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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  • Born Cross Eye…
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    2/21/71

    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.

  • Bill13
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    Wish this included a Blu Ray…

    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.

  • dissident1980
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    Initial Reaction

    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?)

  • Sydney Prentice
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    50th Anniversary ?

    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?

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    The IRS and Dead.net must be in kahoots....

    ....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.

  • Roguedeadguy
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    I'm all in

    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.

  • frosted
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    Moving along to the next plane

    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?

  • icecrmcnkd
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    Open the flood gates

    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.

  • Willysin4wd
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    I didn’t know I needed these items!

    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.

  • Jason Wilder
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    In like Flynn

    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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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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In reply to by One Man

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In the time since I first posted, I listened again to both of Mickey's WD & AB, and spot compared with the regular released versions. Mickey's five channel mixes are striking, even where there are no other differences from the released versions. Example, the bass lines are far clearer, background and double tracked vocals shine. As might be expected, with five speakers, there is more space for each instrument. The only flaw I hear is some introduced reverb in Easy Wind that I think detracts. In some places background and harmony vocals are restored (e.g. New Speedway Boogie), and in all songs have a richer presentation, using the rear channels.

American Beauty is somewhat more radical than Workingman's Dead. Til the Morning Comes actually ends (instead of fading out), Brokedown Palace starts A capella, Friend of the Devil has some additional vocals. These are a different approach. But incredible use of five channels is what makes these mixes memorable as compared with the conventional releases.

Also, in 2002 Mickey released a DVD-audio, Best of Mickey Hart, also in five channel audio (actually 5.1) with selections including one from Diga, a couple each from Mystery Box, Planet Drum, a couple of other tracks, and one unreleased 1996 track from the 100th Olympiad. Also excellent.

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Time and Space as we all know as Drums and Space
Finally received Jai Alai Saturday, One More Grateful Saturday Night
1971 Port Chester . Forensic Dr that's for you
Later Folks

After all Lydon was pretty succinct with the Filthy Lucre tour lol. Sort of like FZ's WOIIFOM take off of the Pistols 2nd fav band after Pink Floyd the fabulous Beatles

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I totally agree with both of you, those 5.1 mixes are just fabulous. I remember when they first came out, wow, what a surprise that was, the best sounding American Beauty I had ever heard, also Working Man's was just unbelievable. I had these two lp's engraved in my heart and soul and the remixes really opened my eyes as to how good these two releases really were and are, as if we didn't all ready know that. Blair jackson wrote about these releases in his blog on this very site years ago and he agreed, what a revelation the new mixes are.

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In reply to by unkle sam

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DOC: those are some mighty big pics, lol. Some of my top wish list shows! You’d think some of those might be more likely Dave’s, but hey, who’d a thunk we’d ever get a complete PC 71 show as a “bonus” disc!! One way or another bring em Dave!

WM & AB on DVD Audio; never heard the surround mix. I have stereo Hi-res copies/files that sound amazing, but they definitely are mixed different than the original releases. Didn’t know Mickey did those? I should pick up Hard copies of those and especially that Mickey Disc up. Interesting, thanks for the info.

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I just saw the new sold out poster go for
$400 on eBay. Unreal.

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17 years
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Whoa!! WTF happened to Live Dead?? I know it was released prior to Working Man's Dead. Whaaa!😥😪

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I believe that they are only going to release the studio albums for the 50th anniversary releases.

For the AB Deluxe edition do we see another show from Port Chester 2/71? Since live albums aren't getting the deluxe treatment this would mean we won't see another anniversary release until 2023 for 'Wake Of The Flood'. Any thoughts/ideas?

Vguy72: that's just...cruel (lol).

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In reply to by DaveStrang

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Maybe they will save American Beauty until next year to pan things out a bit. Also - a bit of a left field idea - they might consider releasing deluxe editions of Garcia's First and Ace. Brilliant albums both, and chock full of future Dead standards.

Amazing coincidence...I have just checked out the board for pick of the day, and read that Bolo has referenced both these two solo albums in his last post there.

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Dave explains/justifies the inclusion of 2 21 71 w/ Workingman's 50th:

https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-workingmans-dead-50th-ann…

I still disagree. For an album recorded in Feb 70, released June 70, the show shoulda been a 70, not 71.

Have given 5 2 70, 1 2 70, 1 3 70 close listens past few days ... just incredible material ... really thought these WD and AB 50th would be similarly euphoric 1970 collections. The 1 2 70 Dark Star, the entire 1 3 70 bonus disc and the Other One in particular ... just otherworldly stuff ... and thanks to Dave for the beautiful Dave's 30 release. (Not tryna be overly critical ... I just love 1970 ✌ ... and I also listened to the Aoxomoxoa 50th bonus recently, perfect single-disc companion to that album.)

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In reply to by dissident1980

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I have to say I agree. From the rootsy charm of the acoustic sets - which were much more soulful than the ones from later years - to the Dark Stars - to some of the most powerful jams in their history during The Other One, Dancing in the Street, Viola Lee etc..You would have thought an anniversary release of WD would have been a perfect opportunity to celebrate this music. Maybe its been foregone as there is a big old box on the way. But I doubt it.

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What a cool post, thanks for posting it!

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If the guy had ever listened to the New Riders' "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" (Lyrics by Peter Rowan) he would have realised that Barney's Beanery is indeed in L.A. and not in S.F. and could have saved himself both time and effort looking for it. Gotta know your songs!

This in no way diminishes his efforts. A thoroughly interesting and enlightening piece of research.

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Looks like the scene from the Time Machine.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Berry interesting, nice work!
Gotta wonder why they didn’t try to ask anyone from the dead?

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Workingman's Dead gets played every time I get into bbq and beer drinking. Along with the Best of Muddy Waters, Charlie Musslewhite's Louisiana Fog, and Anthem of the Sun. If I had to pick one record of all records ever done, it would be Workingman's Dead.

When watching episode 2 of "Long Strange Trip", Jerry described this album as an extension of American Beauty and that's definitely true. In both albums the dead get away from intense psychedelia, and lean into chill folk and country rock. I also think its cool that in both of these albums CSNY helped the Dead with their harmonizing skills, which is one of many examples of the Haight scene collaborating.

Here's the link to the episode if y'all wanna watch!: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0716M5Q4C/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Damn you have great musical tastes. The only slight modification I would put is Charlie's Vanguard lps are tops of a wonderful life's work. What do you think of his experiments with Cuban and other fusion material he got into from the late 90's

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I've never heard Charlie play Cuban music, but I have heard that he did. My favorite two Musslewhite records are Louisiana Fog and Taking My Time, but I love all that music he put out on Vanguard. I've seen him play a lot of times. Charlie Musslewhite and Little Walter my favorite two harmonica players, but I love all of those blues harmonica players past and present.

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I'm looking to fill some gaps in my collection. I have a few of the official downloads/CDs that they released way back when but they are no longer available.

Anyone out there looking to trade some shows? I have a pretty deep collection of Dead/Phish/Panic/Mule/Cheese/Etc.

Google Drive works great!

DM me.

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not much posting going on.

not that I need to spend time here, but it is a pleasant, occasional diversion.

5/5/81 post drums is worth your while.

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I love this album
It’s one of my favorite, go too albums released by the dead. This album changed me some how. But that’s a whole other story.
I love it!
Have a grateful day everyone.

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Just got relix mail about a 14 lp collection of original albums, 180 gm, beautiful colors, the book, the special gift, limited of course to 3,000.

Boy I flew there, 500 bucks! (hear that large sound of brakes squealing)

Can't a brother get a break.

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Went a looking for that Loser done by the Travelin' McCourys,,,, couldn't find in archive, but you can buy "the single" from amazon for 1.30.

At least a brother could afford that.

…….. for just the price of a cup of coffee a day, you could give a needy Deadhead...….

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Found that Travllin' McCourys show (2015-05-23). It's on the archive. I was looking under Del McCourys Band, but no, it was under TM (like it should be).

It's a nice recording. I think there were 4 recordings of that show, I forget which I took, the best one obviously :-)

Time to put up on gdrive.

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In reply to by vykr

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Maybe they are saving that for the next reissue. Its only 5 years off the 55th anniversary.

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In reply to by daverock

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There are a few copies of this one and American beauty for sale on ebay.

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Back in 1984 I was at Red Rocks to see the Dead and I was given a Pigpen t-shirt from one of the Hog Farm associates. It was made by Stanley Mouse of his portrait of Pigpen from the back cover of Workingmans Dead. Printed on an off white 100% cotton beefy-t it was the bomb. I believe it had been produced by the Hog Farm and Mouse to be a fun-d raiser for SEVA. (Phun-raiser) I used to be a hell raiser , now I’m just a phun raiser. I bought this latest Workingmans Dead t-shirt. Way satisfied. Looking forward to t-shirt, jacket and should get the cap and go down to the Cenex Co-op filling station and shoot the bull with Goober. Andy Griffith was a comic genius .

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In reply to by daverock

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Perhaps they will come out next year? 51st anniversary and 5.1 mixes go together.

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Hats off to you, Okiedoke! Your persistence is greatly appreciated. That's a fun tale. I wonder if the Victorian house was moved somewhere or just plowed down. And wouldn't "Beanie's Place" make a good album title for someone?

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I recommend the jambase stream of 4/21/1972 Beat Club bremen. Right now they are doing playing in the band a second time. I guess the first time through they weren't as warmed up.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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....great post my man. I have the “Pigpen T /Shirt you mentioned in your last post. Only difference is the color, the first edition of these pigpen T- shirt were/ are a beautiful hue’ of Pblue
In first edition was created & offered by the Dead’s long time friend & fan; By the artist, ‘Stanley Mouse Studios! The original first edition shirts are highly sought after or grateful to have in any greatful dead fan base! I have two versions, the original release by Stanley mouse and a 2nd shirt Of mouses’s released with a deep red/ maroon color palette!

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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....great post my man. I have the “Pigpen T /Shirt you mentioned in your last post. Only difference is the color, the first edition of these pigpen T- shirt were/ are a beautiful hue’ of Pblue
In first edition was created & offered by the Dead’s long time friend & fan; By the artist, ‘Stanley Mouse Studios! The original first edition shirts are highly sought after or grateful to have in any greatful dead fan base! I have two versions, the original release by Stanley mouse and a 2nd shirt Of mouses’s released with a deep red/ maroon color palette!

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In reply to by deadheadqueen

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Why is this Workingman's Dead 50th-anniversary collection being released on July 10th, 2020 while the original vinyl album release (WS-1869) was on June 14th, 1970?
I don't enough about the inner workings of Rhino Entertainment or Warner Music Group, but I would have put the release date of Workingman's Dead 50 sometime in June 2020.

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