“It has some of the first things I’ve written, and that we’ve performed as a band, that in my opinion are genuinely beautiful...We were in the studio, creating this thing, pullin’ together, and because we managed to get off under those circumstances the music has a certain quality.” - Jerry On American Beauty
"I listened to the album two or three times that night just taking it in, living in its world, and loving it, trying to understand what this feeling was. It wasn’t happy, nor was it sad. Yet, it reflected the presence and possibility of every emotion in the rainbow, and the recording was unbelievable. The talent and musicianship were undeniable. The lyrics melted my mind." - Jim James, My Morning Jacket
"A complete contentment shines through the vocal work on this album. A full contentment. The instrumentation is rich with sound that moves through, under, and into the listener. Damn it all, the album is American beauty, of the best possible kind. The positivity of the Dead just can’t be kept down. Look at the cover. 'American Beauty' can also be read as 'American Reality,' thanks to Mouse Studios. If more of the American reality were this album, we’d all have a lot more to be thankful for." - Andy Zwerling, Rolling Stone, December 24, 1970
We are thankful to be here today celebrating the Grateful Dead's most lauded studio masterpiece with a 50th ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION. Available on October 30th, the three-CD set will feature the original album with newly remastered audio, plus one of the most requested archival recordings in the Dead's vault - the unreleased concert recorded on February 18, 1971 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. On stage that night, the Dead debuted a whole new batch of songs, five in all: “Wharf Rat,” “Playing In The Band,” “Bertha,” “Greatest Story Ever Told” and “Loser.” Fans were also treated to a few standbys from the previous decade, including “St. Stephen” and an inspired “Dark Star>Wharf Rat>Dark Star” jam. Notably, keyboardist Ned Lagin (who played piano on “Candyman” on American Beauty) sat in with the band for the show. It's all been 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. How about that!
The show has been 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, with speed correction and tape restoration by Plangent Processes.
The cap is Blue Corduroy?....
....far from my favorite fabric. Need to think about it.
UK availability
Amazon.co.uk show two versions again with a difference of c. £7 in price. Presumably the expensive one has the lenticular cover. They claim it will be issued on 23rd October but since they have no other details they’ll probably update that once they add product details. Looking forward to this.
Can't a brother get a break!!
Come on, I just spent a chunk of money yesterday at Real Gone Music and today you announce AB. Is there no justice? And they offer 2 versions of "limited" vinyl!!
Good thing my wife is out of town, if she knew how I was spending her money...….
Maybe I can say that it was part of the data smash at warner, yeah, that's the ticket...…. yes just pay it for now honey they will credit our account later.... that should work.
The Capitol show will be nice to have in official release. My copy sounds pretty damn good, so the remastered 16 track done at Bobby's house should sound GREAT. I like the setlist.
Be nice if they got some pictures up on the webpage to show products
me likey...
very mucho...now excuse me while I'm off to take los gatos (Mr Jinks & Violet) to their vet appt in Flagstaff for their annual check up and vacinnations...oh boy 180 mile round trip of pissed off kitty meows...oh and as a Prime member I'll go that route....
2-18-71 Ray's Recording from the Balcony
while you are waiting come listen to Ray Trifari's only recording ever. From the balcony first row on February 18, 1971
Thanks to David and the gang for releasing The Beautiful Show http://www.gratefulseconds.com/2019/11/ray-trifari-at-georgetown-decide…
Shipment Date for AB 50th Releases
Long time listener, first time called/poster....
Just a thought..... as badly as I want my stuff, Id gladly wait another 10 days to receive pre-ordered goodies. Rather than shipping on Oct 30th, why not hold off on shipping until like Nov 10 or so. Here's why:
That last week of Oct and first week of Nov the U.S. mails will be crazy with other, even more important things. So ..... if someone in the Good Ol' Grateful Dead organization reads these, please consider pausing shipping anything until after all the ballots are in.
Just a thought....Aint no time to hate.....just sharing my opinion.
I have to say, I'm a little…
I have to say, I'm a little disappointed. Would have preferred one of the 50th anniversary albums this year to have a '70 show as the bonus. This Port Chester run is very uneven. Most of the performances of the new material aren't very good, especially on 2/18. The jam after Wharf Rat is sublime, but the rest of the sequence is rather meh.
American Beauty/Port Chester
Great another 50 year release Now I'm starting too feel old.
With this set would it also be all 3 shows from Port Chester, NY since THREE from the VAULT is from2/19/71? That's 2/18,19,& 21/1971
I am 61 yrs old and my first show was 1974 Jersey city
Matchstick Tin
Wow, a matchstick tin. Now I have a perfect, portable container for my sticky, aromatic...matchsticks.
What is the picture one the back of the....
....apparel supposed to be? Hard to make out.
Sound Quality
Hello, Everyone!
Nothing cute to say...just want to know what version has the best sound quality: CD or either of the downloads? Could the cd version possibly have better sound quality than the FLAC?
Please don't say it matters what I'm playing it on...let's just suppose they are all 3 played on the same sound system, okay?
Why does it matter? Because I don't have the funds to purchase 2 of the 3 versions. I actually don't have the funds to purchase one of them, but am hoping I will in the near future.
Thank You for your help!
American Beauty 50th
THANK YOU VERY MUCH "Grateful Dead Productions"!!
Great album!
For this 50th anniversary edition, I'm really glad 2/18/71 was included as the bonus. Now we have 2/18, 2/19, and 2/21 as official releases.
All we need now is a box containing the rest of this Port Chester NY run: 2/20, 2/23, & 2/24.
For those ordering from DEAD DOT NET, use PayPal.
Where I'm going to buy
I am going to buy this release at my local "bricks & mortar" record store. Yes, there's still one left in my area where they still sell CDs and vinyl record albums. No waiting for the mail, no extra charges for shipping. However, it's a 6% sales tax in most of Pennsylvania, I think Philadelphia has an 8.5 % or 9% sales tax on almost all non-food items.
2/18/71
My 11th Grateful Dead concert. Tickets went on sale at box office early December 6, 1970. Derek and the Dominos played the night before. About 20-30 people in line when I arrived at 5am. All nights sold out in first day or so. Unlike November run when it was possible to buy tickets at the door for the first night. Fourth or fifth row in front of Jerry for the 18th. Ned Lagin set up behind Garcia. Mickey on same side (north side). Last time seeing Jerry play his Gibson SG. Bob and Betty were recording on south side of Capitol Theater from an elevated box booth. What a night! Thank you Betty Cantor.
2nd Box Set of 2020 mentioned by DL in video
DL seemed to mention in 1976 Box video in January that it was an early Box Set because they wanted to make sure that '76 BOX had "it's due, and time & space to breathe". He seems to mention this as he states they have plans for later in 2020, which most have interpreted to mean a 2nd BOX SET this year......any thoughts on this? Does anyone think or know if there will be a 2nd BOX SET this year? He may have just been referring to both the 50th Anniversaries Albums(WD & AB) that are now out this year???? I sure hope we get a 2nd Box Set, and it's a Fall 1980 Box.....i'm a little disappointed with both the bonus shows for these 50th anniv albums. Although, the Port Chester '71 shows have always been tagged as "legendary", neither is really that great IMHO. The 1st time played songs on 2/18/71 are great, but new & uneven.....the Playin' is meh at best, and Bertha never got rght & tight until 4/71(hence the version release on Skull F*ck). The Dark Star>Wharf Rat>Dark Star is very good and unique.....just hoping for some more latter Dead this year. They have again really stuck to 1971-1977 this year, and everyone knows he'll put out a 1972 or 1973 show for DaP# 36...... I certainly enjoyed DaP#35 just - STILL WANT MORE!!! Bring on that Fall 1980 material for a BOX and/or DaP# 36.
Bring it on! another'71 show…
Bring it on! another'71 show thank you very much Dave.
Initially, I was disappointed that there was no 1970 show with Workingmans Dead 50th, but the 1971 show was superb, and now we have another night from 1971.
I was half expecting & wishing a show from1970 with this, but maybe, just maybe there is a box of 1970 shows being released that I can soon have in my grubby little mitts. Don't say it's true that there aren't the recordings because of Bear's absence.
*RE/ American Beauty 50th Anniversary
I told you my brother and sisters that the release would include another 1971 concert for bonus material for the 50th American Beauty release! Get ready to shake your bones my friends! Have a grateful day everyone! 🙏❤️💀🌹🤠-pigpen!
Nice!
Yup, I am good with 2/18/71 for the bonus. Its another long sought after show for a release so it was due. Just like with the 2/21 show for WD, this show fits nicely on 2 discs. I think that works out well.
Now I do feel like a 1970 show is on the horizon. I have not heard the 9/19 show but set list wise it looks like a good one. Hopefully that will get to see the light of day soon.
It is interesting to speculate about a future box. I am still not certain if we are getting a second box set this year, but regardless when the box does come out I think it is really open. Of course we could get the rest of the Port Chester shows or maybe then some 1970 shows can make the cut. With Dave's 36 looming too, that makes things more interesting.
Anyway, I say bring on 2/18/71, I am ready!
Oh Yeah
bowmp bowmp chicka chikaaaa.....
Yes! I was hoping this would be it. Seems the obvious choice even if you don't have double secret probation knowledge. I may have been in the top 10 first purchasers this morning. Paaaaathetic.
There were portents this morning when I put on my Grateful Dead Halloween shirt from...you guessed it 1971. Went for a walk with an emulation of the May 25th E72 Dark Star disc, except I used songs from the Workingman's Dead Port Chester show. Uncle John's Band => Wharf Rat => Dark Star from April 8th 1971, Dark Star from April 26th 1971, and then I finished it off with the Sugar Magnolia from the Workingman's Dead Port Chester show.
Gratefulhan, you should check out that 9/19 Dark Star. I'm not hopeful that we'll see any decent sounding 1970 shows from the second half of the year when Bear was in jail. I just don't think they exist. I hope I'm wrong.
In for AB50!!!
Great music on the way to St. Charles, IL. I’m in agreement with Vguy72 on the hat color. Blue corduroy is a no sale. Tshirt highly likely. Workingmans Dead shirt is great. Have a Grateful Day. Stay safe!!!
9/19/70 Dark Star
Keithfan I am going to get on it. Yup I think I will have jump on that and really just listen to the whole show. I see there is the wonderful accoustic set to start it off.
I lnow there is a large portion of missing 1970 tapes. The Grateful Dead guide has, as per usual, an in depth write up on it . If I recall many of the tapes are audience sources so there is that sound quality issue. However I do think there are a good many shows with no known tapes as well. I think many November 70 shows were missing and this was a particularly large grouping of missing tapes.
I have to go look it up now because I am curious.
PS...The Festival Express shows are also missing. I had slim hopes that these shows might have become the bonus material for either WD or AB. It seems that they were not taped other than by the film crew. Man I would love it if Dave L and the crew could secure that film and release the Dead's shows on audio and if possible video.
Pumped for this, mainly due to the 2/18/71...
But looking forward to a new mix. When this cd set pops up on Amazon, I'm pre-ordering there. May be moving soon, and don't need any hanky panky going on after Workingman's and 3 of the last 5 DaPs SNAFU. Thankful that they're taking the odd decision to release those Capitol shows this way, as they're a bit cheaper than a 200 box set, but it would be nice if the others are coming out, too.
Sold Out????????????????????
How is that even possible? I read the advertisement and did not notice a "Limited Edition" numbered gimmick.
I quote John McEnroe "You've got to be kidding me?!"
Can I please have one physical cd set. . .. Please?
VGuy, the image is the back of the album
I was confused, too. As appropriate as it might be to have the album's back cover on the back of the clothing, there are probably better aesthetic choices . . .
Web site SNAFU
I waited an hour and tried again...order complete. This 'site' is gonna kill me one of these days!
Sorry DEADEGAD.
@DAVESTRANG
Hey DaveS . . .. I just tried again a few minutes after my first attempt and sure enough I got the actual physcal cd set set ordered! I was coming back to alert you and PM you in that regard but you got it too. Thanks for the heads up.
And yes Dead.net could be the death of us all someday. They sure know how to stress us!
I can see the news "Another tragic Covid 19 death as a loyal Dead Head tried to buy some cds online today!"
"And yes Virginia people still buy and listen to cds!"
Virginia: "What are cds actually?"
Possible Box?
The 3 remaining shows: 2/20, 2/23, 2/24? Rhino has never tied a Box in with stand alone releases/re-issues. Granted, there are repeat songs, but it completes the 2/71 Port Chester run...or are they DaP bound?
Happy to hear you got one DEADEGAD.
Look for me in the nurseries of Heaven.......
Thought I’d let the dust settle a bit before I commented………….
On the one hand, as a 1971 fanatic I always welcome ANY official 1971 releases. And frankly, I’m heartened and a bit surprised for the affection currently shown for 2/18/71…………..
On the other hand, objectively considered, 2/18 may not have been the best choice, musically speaking. Yes, it is historic and it’s been one of the most requested shows for official release, but IMHO it’s clearly not the best show from the run and is probably not even the best of the “currently unreleased 71 PC shows”. The new material sounds a little stiff and the big second set jam doesn’t quite gel. 2/20 and 2/23 are probably better, 2/24 a little less so. However, since it appears that it was decided that a 71 PC box set was a no-go, maybe this is the best way to get a couple of them out there quickly. Especially since they were part of the returned Bettys, as it seems there’s some emphasis on those recently………………….
Speaking of which, maybe next year (the big 50th) there could be a box set of the April Manhattan Center and Boston Music Hall shows. That wouldn’t be my first choice (I’d prefer a bigger box, with 4/8, 12, 14, 17, 18, & 21), but I suppose I could go for it, lol………………
In regards to this Fall, a big Fall 1970 box would be tough as there’s not a lot of complete recordings available (unless there’s been returned reels). A portion of 9/19 circulates, and yes the music itself is fabulous. The “best” complete recordings from that Fall may be the SUNY shows, which while fun pale in comparison to the Fillmore and PC shows………………
I still lust after a Fall 1972 Texas box set………………..
Rare mid-week day off here, guess I'll go strum some geetar…………..
Rock on!
Doc
ok, i give.
there are 3 pictures of this on the cd page. What is the 3rd closeup supposed to be showing us?
11/8/70
Ten years ago I commented on the 11/8/70 concert page about the release of American Beauty. Paraphrase; first heard American Beauty on November Friday the 13th 1970 being broadcast in entirety from WPLJ in NYC. Same night a group of us went to the Capitol Theater to see the Jefferson Airplane. I still have an original American Beauty promo poster. Warner Brothers supposedly freaked when they saw Jerry in the poster photo holding a joint. WB then destroyed all the remaining copies. My copy came from a DJ from Bard College.
American Beauty is most likely my favorite Grateful Dead studio album. Anthem of the Sun a very close second. Anthem to Beauty.
Dennis, my guess is that
they're showing us the depth of the contoured/lenticulated cover.
DHB & the Picture
I'll buy that, no mention in the write up about 3D cover, but ok.
The rose certainly seems to have "depth" in that picture.
I guess we'll find out in November.
Evacuate-what to take?
May have to evacuate due to Oregon fires. What CD's to take? The most irreplaceable? The hottest performances? The smallest and lightest of these two catagories? For example the two Winterland 73 and 77 boxes are small and pretty pricey on the market...the Europe box is so big. Suggestions?
Killing It At The Kiel * 10/29/73
The Brokedown Palace is majestic.
Nitecat CD Evacuation
Just throw them all in a trunk and mail them to yourself. They should show up on your doorstep a week or two after you return home from the evacuation.
Evacuation
I posted this very same question a few months back. Without question E72 goes in one hand and FW69 goes in the other. If you don't have FW69, then Winterland 73 and 77 would be my next choices. Good luck.