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THE BEST OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD will also be available as Apple Lossless and HD FLAC digital downloads on release day.
THE BEST OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD’s 32 tracks feature music from every Grateful Dead studio album and cover the key waypoints on the band’s mystical musical journey. Arranged chronologically, the tracks reflect the evolution of the group’s sound – and its membership – across more than two decades – from 1967’s “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)” to 1989’s “Standing on the Moon.” In between, listeners will find the essential tracks that made the band such a cultural phenomenon, including such fan favorites as “St. Stephen,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Friend of the Devil,” “Scarlet Begonias,” and “Hell In a Bucket.”
THE BEST OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD also highlights the original versions of songs that would later become staples of the band’s transcendent concerts, such as “Truckin’,” “China Cat Sunflower,” “Uncle John’s Band,” and “Fire On the Mountain.” Perhaps the best example is “Dark Star.” The rare single version included here is only two-and-a-half minutes long. On stage, the Dead transformed the song into an improvisational showcase that often stretched out for 30 minutes. The longest song found on the collection is the 16-minute “Terrapin Station.” Released in 1977, this suite of songs (an entire album side) is widely considered to be the Dead’s magnum opus. Of course the set wouldn’t be complete without “Touch of Grey,” the band’s only hit single, which cracked the Top Ten in 1987.
The release date...
Is on a Tuesday so don't be surprised if this lands in stores. So I won't go for the preorder.
Remastered?
I believe the last time these tracks were upgraded was about ten years ago. I'd certainly be interested in hearing some new masters.
Remastered? Yes...
From Amazon:
Mastered from the original anlalog master tapes by Grammy-wunning (sic) David Glasser
But ... but ...
"The best" includes Hell in a Bucket and Far From Me, but not Jack Straw, Tennessee Jed, He's Gone, Brown-Eyed Women, Cosmic Charlie, Playing in the Band, The Other One, Franklin's Tower, Morning Dew, Althea, Brokedown Palace, Crazy Fingers, Stella Blue, Wharf Rat, Let it Grow, Mississippi Half-Step, U.S. Blues, Just a Little Light or West LA Fadeaway? Hmph.
Anything NEW here??
Is there Anything NEW here? Not Released before? Single Version of Dark Star??
Best Of CDs
My own "Best Of The Grateful Dead" CDs contain 4 disks of music that I've put together in a sort of chronological order. Covers everything listed here plus a good deal more. Buy it if you just have to have everything that has been officially released for your impressive collection of "stuff" or buy it as a present to give to someone that needs to learn who the Grateful Dead were and why they kept following me!!!
But ... but ... Just hop on
I agree with copperdomebodhi. Lots of omissions and no long jams in this 50th Anniversary "Greatest Hits" effort. At first I thought, well, for the incipient, soon-to-be-Deadhead, maybe toss in "What A Long Strange Trip Its Been Greatest Hits" – only 4 duplications and some nice live jams, but still some "obvious choices" are missing . . . Well, might as well throw in "So Many Roads", but then . . .
I suppose any 2- or -3 or 5- CD attempt at Grateful Dead's Greatest Hits can only serve as a sign at the bus stop. If you like what you hear, there's so much more than you can begin to image. Not to worry, there's still room on the BUS! Just hop on!
Agree to disagree
There are a whole bunch of reasons for the seasoned Head to grumble about this:Song selection, no live stuff, no jams, similarities to previous compilations. I won't pick up a copy of this, just as I have never owned any of the band's "greatest" collections. I do appreciate the criteria and I think they have executed it pretty well. This is a quick trip through their studio work. They chose what they felt best represented their music at the time. Many of their best songs were never recorded in studio. A two disk set is designed for the casual fan and perhaps draw in yet another generation of listeners. This release is not designed for those of us with shelves of tapes, disks and hard drives, obsessing over Dave's next nature walk. Which, umm... I am ready for, any time now Dave!
Lost in translation
I guess sarcasm doesn't always come across on message boards.
Although this might be a nice introduction to the Dead for someone, it definitely wasn't what I've been waiting for ;)
Repackaged again?
This is not what I was looking for to kick off the 50th. Another best of, I have like three or four already. I'll get a copy from Amazon Prime, save the shipping fees. I'm a collector, so really want it for my collection. I have burned many CD's with my favorite tunes on it. The jamming is the greatest part of their music. Looking forward to DP13 arriving.
Peace
not bad but 3 discs are needed
I would've gone 3 discs and you have to include even though they are only live versions Bertha, Playin In the Band, Brown Eyed Women, Jack Straw, He's Gone, U.S. Blues, and possibly Jed or Ramble. The Other One portion from Anthem, New Speedway Boogie, also Sugaree and The Wheel from Garcia, Cassidy from Ace and Franklin's Tower, Crazy Fingers. Also Easy to Love You instead of Far From Me, and Althea or West L.A. and Liberty for the last song
Another Best Of
The Best Of The GD-2015I can't help but think that this release is not meant for us, but meant for Dead Heads V-2015. With all the news / hipe of the Fare Thee Well shows in Chicago on 4th of July week end. People from all walks of life have / will be hearing the tunes on radio & reports on T.V. Everyone will have a SYF sticker on their car. Amazon & itunes will be selling the MP3 like crazy. 1987 Touch of Grey times 10. Is it a bad thing ? Well Rhino should love it.
Seems like I've been here before
What are the chances that they open with "Born Cross-Eyed".
More needed...
How could you not include Peggy-o, or U.S blues?Its better to create your own CD.
For us high-res audio folks this is great.
The only high resolution set available now is at:
http://www.hdtracks.com/complete-studio-albums-collection
for $250!
This is a decent subset of stuff.
Stop complaining - you can't please everyone all of the time...
If you don't like it don't buy it!
;)))
Aoxomoxoa Original Mix
It's time to release the original mix of Aoxomoxoa on cd!
Also Capitol Theater 2/18/71!
Peace!
Nice collection
My copy arrived from Amazon today, its a nice collection of music. The packaging is well done, nice jewel case. This is for the collector, or the new fans.
Peace
U. S. Blues not included?
This collection could have included U. S. Blues, and the single version of Truckin'. As is, I think it's OK, but not great. Something for the newbies who think they just might like Grateful Dead and that's fine by me. There really needs to be an introductory two disc "live-in-concert recording" compilation album for newbies, also.
Whaaa???
What's up with this page? I was reading the gentleman's comment about US Blues and I realized I was not signed in. So I signed in and now, when I click on the US Blues comment, it jumps me right down to the blank comment form I'm now writing in.
Also, the right and left arrows don't work. Now it COULD be my machine acting weird, but I don't know. See ya next time around....
Jack
anybody buy this from local music stores or record shop?
I saw some schwag associated with this release (window decal, mini poster) a local record shop was selling with same cover art. One item an embossed window decal that was being sold for $10. When I asked the price the owner looked a little stumped because it had no price tag on it. And he had a stack of them. I figured this was promo stuff that was given out, so when people would buy the album the shop would throw in some stuff like a grab bag. He then came up with a $10 price. I declined because in the past Wake up to Find had a window decal (2 sizes) that was given for free with purchase and also Best of Spring 90 had a free sticker sheet. Any info on this? I just really want to know if this stuff is promotional material? I could not find any images of these on the web.
Curious Pricing?!
Bought this CD today for CDN $12.99 in an HMV music store in Edmonton, Alberta. At today's exchange rate that works out to about US $10.00. Seems odd that dead.net is charging US $19.98?!
THE BEST OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD
I love this song : The Music Never Stopped !
great post
Sad about dead.net's politics
Maybe this comment will be banned, but i have to say what i think about Grateful Dead's "marketing" exploitation of the band's catalog. First of all, no more soundboard downloads from the archive12, which means "now you buy". OK. I have bought Springsteen or Gov't Mule shows in Flac for - say 12 to 16 bucks a-show (3 or 4CD length, ok). Grateful Dead's shows are awfully dear (download series top at 20 bucks for a 2CD set). That's one thing.The other is, either you find 120 bucks and subscribe to Dave's Picks series, either you don't and there's no hope to grab those discs later, if you don't wish to put 70 bucks on a collector's item.
That's it for the other one : third is, what about those expensive box-sets ???
I have always associated the Dead with some cool feelings, good music, freedom, (add what you want here), and it's getting the worse money-grabbing service over the net. No money no honey. And get the money fast as the stuff won't last long. I've never been a drug-addict, but the scheme looks the same.
So all you executives at dead.net, think one second about what the band was, about all of us wanting to buy good music at a reasonable and affordable price, and not being able to put 500 $ cash for a USB key with 30 concerts stuffed in it.
Have all the Dead-Heads gone rich enough to afford it ? Unfortunately, might I be the lonesome cowboy who can't, I'm not. Please put some stickers, or whatever gets through your mind to dedicated collectors item if you wish, but let the music live, and let us grab it piece by piece, depending on our abilities to invest a few bucks. Don't play the "heroin dealer" game. Or don't complain if more and more people look for illegal torrent sites - in which case nobody wins anything and gets annoyed. It's up to you to keep customers satisfied.
For example : I got the Gov't Mule 12/31/15 show (4CDs) in FLAC for 16 bucks. What you think about it ? Unfortunately I had to get the "Warlocks" series for nothing because your prices suck. Go get me to court if you wish. I could easily have expected such a situation from commercial bands like Dire straits or the Stones, but the worst comes from dead.net. Such a dark star.
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