A stirring conclusion to the Grateful Dead's three-decade career, music filled with adventure and possibility, big questions, big punchlines, and cosmic wisdom...
Maybe you were lucky enough and caught a glimpse of what might have been. You swayed to the unfamiliar, floating along with an unknown melody, joining in for a chorus when you felt confident you had it down. Maybe you jotted a fat question mark in your meticulous setlist, certain you'd figure it out before the next show, anticipating a formal introduction in due time.
As if their repertoire wasn't tall enough to reach the endless sky, the band began adding new tunes to their sets in 1992, working them into "quintessential Grateful Dead romps," with the intention of a new studio album. By the mid-90s, they set out recording with the wisdom of Willie Dixon's blues, Neil Young's fuzzed-out guitar, newcomer Vince Welnick's tried-and-true sketches, and Bobby reunited with Robert Hunter on a duo that had quickly become fan-favorites. Alas, it was not meant to be. Until now.
We proudly present READY OR NOT, nine unreleased live versions of late-period Grateful Dead songs that debuted in 1992 and 1993, a reflection of what could have been the band's next official studio album.
Due November 22nd, READY OR NOT will be available on CD, as a 180-gram 2-LP set, limited to 10,000 copies, and of course, digitally as a download and for streaming.
Looking for that Dead.net exclusive? We've got you covered with an exclusive colored vinyl version of the -2LP set with one red LP and one blue LP, limited to just 2,000 copies. And we'll hit you with that hi-res digital audio too.
The cover art ....
.... I may get stoned for this .... er I mean flamed ...... but I kind of like the art.
The cartooniness is a little too pop art for my taste too, but I like the meaning I see. A nod to the magic (from the magic hat) dazzling the joker (a newby perhaps) and the Uncle Sam in the know with the glimmer in his eye as the joker gets on the bus with stars in the eyes.
Well that's my take at least, but yeah, maybe it would just be better if they all had beards or something.
97' Earthquake Country
Too bad, daverock, I would have gladly taken that off your hands! Not sure we lose much by missing out on If the Shoe Fits, Wave to the Wind, and Childhood's End. Anyway, I know this much, that fifth disc of So Many Roads - similar late-era compilation - is by far my favorite and most listened to of the mix.
Gollum
It's interesting that you mention Paul McCartney's "Temporary Secretary". I am a quite "invested" Beatles and solo Beatles fan. McCartney has put out a LOT of crap (Lord knows). I never did like that song when McCartney II came out. When the re-issue came out a few years back, I found that I quite liked it now (a lot). Having been listening to and buying records for 54 years now, I have found that a lot of things I dismiss on first listen, I like more after repeated listening. The same goes for me on whole albums. And I know that there's a large quantity of releases that I don't like just because I wasn't willing to re-visit them. I just don't have the time to give repeat listens to everything.
As far as this new release, I have that distorted "Completionist" gene that seemingly FORCES me to buy things by certain artists. Just in the last few years, I have been able to resist that (a tiny bit), but also I find that if I wait a while for something, I'll eventually find it for less.
After typing for a while, I'm no longer sure what exactly my point was in all this (early onset dementia, perhaps).
I guess just that we're always going to like songs/albums that other people hate, and vice-versa. But sometimes music grows more likeable with time, and that, unless I die soon, I will always have time to catch up with releases I don't like/purchase upon issue.
Whew!! That was a real load of crap, huh??
FZ-"music is the best!!
Mr. Ones
Ha! I didn't think anyone would recognize my reference to "Temporary Secretary". I got that McCartney album when it came out (1980) and gave up on listening to it after hearing that song. It just seemed like the quintessential awful song and I can recall the chorus in my head even after 40 years. Maybe I should give the album another shot?! I agree with your point. I'm always re-assessing music as the years go by. I used to also hate most 70 and 80's pop rock but now it doesn't sound as bad as I remember. Partly nostalgia, sure, but I wonder why I had such hostility toward a lot of it.
I confess that even as a hard core Deadhead for 40+ years, I am only now beginning to fully appreciate Spring 77 Dead. The last year I've been doing a slow deep dive into that music for the first time. I'm getting shown the light, as it were. The uniqueness of the jamming in every one of those Scarlet-Fire's is nothing short of amazing.
CD Not Available For Preorder?
I agree that the price for the CD is excessive.
That did not, however, stop me from trying to pre-order. First the web form kept telling me I had to enter an address, when it was plainly there. So I came back later, and now ... pre-ordering the CD is no longer an option??? It's greyed out in the "Choose your format" drop-down. What up with that?
CD soldout?
I guess it’s possible. I preordered earlier this week and I’ll say it again, definitely looking forward to this release. Some real late-era gems in this mix.
Amazon
has it for 15.77 in CD format. These are some good tunes taken from some of the best later year performances. That entire Dean Smith center show is awesome, actually, both of them are very good shows with some great new tunes. Check out the drums>space on the 24th is just pure later day dead trip music. Mickey goes nuts on the beam and Jerry tears it up during space, just beautiful, and the spanish jam after the space is pure magic, like a sleigh ride thru the woods to grandma's house, with colours everywhere. I could go on about the other gems on this cd, but that would take up a lot of time and space, so perhaps another day. Why can't I order this on this site? is the cd sold out? Do they just want to sell downloads and lp's? we might never know. Pick it up on amazon before it's too late.
Oct. 14, 1994
The ‘Scarlet-Fire’ from October 14, 1994 holds up. Good show to pick "Corinna" from. Good jam at the end.
*Re/ CD Sold Out
...Dead.net customers are in for a special treat! 🙏❤️💀🌹
Purchase option
I'll be purchasing my copy through our friends here at Dead.net, but for those of you who have had trouble with orders through here, I wouldn't blame you for purchasing elsewhere. If you wish to avoid the monster machine that is Amazon, Bull Moose is a top-notch online media store with brick-and-mortar CD shops in Maine. Their price on this release is less than Amazon's. Just sayin' . . .
CD Not Available For Preorder?
Ok, now it's available again. Weird.
CD is not limited
From what I understand this CD is an unlimited retail release that will be cheaper everywhere but here. Dead.net is not offering any special version for the CD. I didn't realize when I first bought the CD that it wasn't a limited release. Only the black vinyl is limited to 10K copies (10K is a large amount for vinyl) and the colored vinyl at 2K pcs.
Where Is The Brent Stuff??
Unless there is another release with the '88 missing songs, this is only a sad grab. The Vince releases can wait. NEXT!
2019 Keyboard Smorgasbord
Sure enough the keyboard smorgasbord of all the keyboardest for the Dead released in 2019. Why just eat a sandwich when you're at an all you can eat joint. All the talk about Hot Tuna is cool. Was lucky to see them up in Missoula at the Wilma Theater September 11. For an original almost intact band from the 60s/San Francisco era they are in many ways the last torch bearers left. I saw them in the old days at the Fillmore East, Capitol Theater (Portchester), and Winterland. Jorma and Jack are true old time stalwarts. (loyal, reliable and hardworking) I love those old timers.
What are you talking about?
DEADELOC, I do not get your comment.
This is supposed to be a release for the '92-'93 songs that did not get an album release. The only ones missing are the Phil songs (If the Shoe Fits, Childhood's End).
'88 missing songs? All the originals from that year (Victim, Foolish Heart, I Will Take You Home, Believe It or Not, Blow Away, Built to Last) are on Built To Last. Only exception is Gentleman Start Your Engines.
Built To Last
Jason - Believe It Or Not ain't on my copy of Built To Last !
You are correct! Apologies.
Somehow I got it confused with Built to Last.
Still, I do not get the comment. Complaining about missing '88 songs (just one apparently), when the point of this album is the late era Dead stuff.
Some of these sings had no live releases at all (Lazy River Road, Easy Answers, Eternity?) or very few outside 30 Trips.
Ready or Not
Jason - yes, you are right. This release is surely an attempt to put out songs that the band may have included on their next studio album had they had time to record one. Which would hardly have been likely to include any Brent songs.
shipping date
got an email sid shipping date set back till end of November, anybody else get that one?
Grumpy Heads
Haven't commented on this forum in quite a long time, but I see that Deadheads are grumpier than ever.
Quite a bunch of curmudgeons on here.
I'm really looking forward to this release. Childhood's End would have been a nice addition, but I get it.
Looking forward to this one
Actually I am looking forward to this one. I just want "new" Grateful Dead!
If I recall correctly, the song titles were the songs the Dead were working on at Club Front in 1992-93, perhaps 1994 or even '95 before they gave it a rest and before That Fateful Day.
If all went well (and that's a big if) the band came back to this project, finished it and got approval by Arista Records so that Arista could market it correctly, we' may have had an album that would have been stronger than "Built To Last" but yet weaker than "In The Dark".
On the flip side of that coin, the studio release would have attracted hordes of new fans who don't understand the customs or rules of engagement about going to a Grateful Dead concert. (that certain show in 1995)
However, when this CD is released I will go to my local bricks-and-mortar independent record store and pay cash - just like I did on October 31st, 1989 when "Built To Last" was released. 33+30=
Arrived
My cd copy arrived this morning. I bought it via Amazon in the UK since it meant getting it on the day of issue and at a total price equivalent to the shipping costs from the US. I’m just getting to the end of a first listen and am enjoying the final track ‘Days Between’. The problem with this type of GD album is the lack of flow between the tracks. The joy of listening to the band, at least for me, is the ebb and flow of playing shown in a concert. Having said that the ‘Days Between’ version is worth the price on its own and it is interesting to hear the other songs. I’ll listen to it a few more times and I’m sure I’ll get more into it.
Download issue again
Note that the files sent (at least mine) are 44/16 NOT 96/24 as described/advertised. This is a repetitive problem.
Hey DaveRock!
Yeah, Believe It or Not is a lovely song and it would've been nice to include it here.
Nonetheless, I'm whipping out the plastic......
Ready or Not. I’d say Not.
How and why on earth did they manage to pick a version of So Many Roads on which Jerry forgets half the words? Granted Jerry unleashes some seriously sparkly leads here, but the numerous lyrical lapses throughout make this totally unsuitable for official release. I won’t buy it because of that glaring faux pas, and for the hideous and cheesy cover art. 👎
Finally a Dead product I…
Finally a Dead product I received on date of release! Really glad about that, nice change after a year of almost constant longing, hoping, worrying whenever we approached that special day and passed it. German mailorder worked fine this time. The big question is, will these songs somehow be able to stand on their own, ripped out of their natural concert habitat. Awful cover art, surprisingly nice liner notes. "Liberty", "Eternity", so far, the music just plods along.
A grateful Thanks giving brothers, sisters and Dead heads
A grateful holiday to everyone for this years gratefully thanksging 2019to one ging Dead head to another if anyone’s out there in need for any new copies of the Daves Picks ##’s 26 thru the latest pick the 2019 series. I have extra copies to upload for the standard shipping costs chosen by the member and the most recent respected face value for your Daves pick of your chose , mostly like the recently a la cartel price for the 2019 series. Or if you are in need for more than two we can come to an exact cost with savings in more than one pick. Everything will be righten sign and aged with a bank note with a federal stam on agreeeded on final cost and List of chosen picks or other dead relateded CDs needed. If your looking fo an itemfor your collection, just ask and I’ll see what we can do to makeweittdn a agreeement and signed and federal bank stamp for a Formal Contact behend the two parties in question.
I’m clearing some of my dead collection once again for personal medicalneeded for my treatments and such. Please feel free to pm me any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them in the order cecieved to be fair...peace be with you all. I hope I can make another Deadhead smile again and again. Like these dead releases make me die day in and out the passing years as a long time fan and collector.
Also have quite a few Boxsets from over the years since 2092 or before 204 or 9 I can’t rememver fromtbdir very first to most recent released dead Boxsets all in new condition . Again any questions please feel free to pm me, ciao Bella, & 🙏❤️🌹💀🤠😎
Anticipation!?
I see that at least a few releases seem to have hit the mark! Just checked my order status-- pending, not shipped. Hope the Gremlins in the warehouse might be woke to my 3 decades of Dead shows (not continuously, just a few in each decade!) & send this sucker truckin on!
Horrible So Many Roads
I'll have to echo what others have said about the So Many Roads that was chosen for this release. Could not one be found with Jer not flubbing the lyrics????
All in all, I would have loved to have Broken Arrow or If The Shoe Fits included, and aside from the So Many Roads, this is a quality release and worth it for the Days Between alone.
Thanks Dave!
Any Shipping Notices
Has anyone received a shipping notice for the CD or vinyl?
I'm a believer-Evbaby
Yes, Believe it or Not is as sweet as a nut. In fact, I would say that in the latter years, Jerrys songs have much more gravitas and staying power than the songs written by other members of the band. But I'm not going to shell out for this one, myself.
This is a great release! …
This is a great release! Arrived on a gray overcast day that fit the mood perfectly. The Hunter/Garcia songs are all superb! A collection of recordings as the curtains were coming down. Not to be missed!
No notice yet here. No charge to card either
After numerous authorizations of the charge, nonoe actually went through as official and dropped off. I suspected the last authorization a few days ago would move on to an official charge after the release date came and the LP ordered shipped, but no Order status remains at pending & card shows no charge or new authorizations. Waiting, chillaxing, anticipation... like hanging outside a gig back in the day but without the surrounding chaos & magic of the circus and fellow Heads & travellers about. I'll come, hopefully! also hope the promised download comes sooner so the tunes can be enjoyed before the vinyl arrives.
Sorry to be reading posts of dissatisfaction with the product, packaging, song selections and versions there of, etc. The true magic of any particular song or show cannot be captured, only recorded & shared. The experiences and fogs of memories of my shows, spread out between May of 77 to the last ones in Vegas in 93, bring back the smiles, but how can I really explain those to my kids, except a moments of sweet life that someone might relate to, sort of, having had sweet moments of their own, but cannot know without having been there too?
No shipping notice
Attended the Deer Creek 92 shows. The show that Way To Go Home came from was a good one. Probably the best of that Summer, with maybe the exception of Soldier Field with Steve Miller and James Cotton sitting in.
Speaking of So Many Roads and Soldier Field 92, I remember that being one of the better versions I've seen.
So Many Roads '92
I did a semi-attentive search on archive.org for a trouble free version lyric-wise of So Many Roads from 1992 and was decidedly unsuccessful. 3/28/93 is pretty clean on the lyrics and playing, but I still wouldn't say I disagree with the choice for the album cut. In the 3/25/93 version, Garcia hears a blackboard sing. Haha, just some trivia :-)
READY OR NOT
Near excellent!
I give this one 5.5 bolts (out of 6). I have a soundboard recording of 10/14/94 which is the source for Liberty and Corrina. Both sound great when mastered correctly. I think there's just a bit of reverb added to Garcia's voice on Liberty that I don't hear on my CD-R.
I was driven to tears on this "Days Between."
A grateful thanks to ALL involved on this release.
Real decent
I enjoyed this listen, if not the most exciting collection. The production is superb. I've really been digging the sonics on the past few releases.
Bonus - a groovy band sticker in the cd booklet sleeve! I've been trying to find a place for it. Back in the day it would have went on a bong.
I ordered the blue/red vinyl…
I ordered the blue/red vinyl set which comes with the hi-res download - I see that the order has not shipped, but thought I would get an email for the download. Anyone else receive the colored vinyl set. Did it come with download codes?
The "Days Between" on this…
The "Days Between" on this is phenomenal. An amazing, swirling, thunderous guitar jam at the end of the song.
The jam out of "Corinna" is great, too. And nice "Lazy River Road."
No vinyl yet
I pre-ordered the colored vinyl editionand have not recieved it yet. Any word on shipping date for this one?
Liner notes
How did the liner notes pass the proof reading process? It says that this was meant to be the album which followed ‘1989’s In The Dark’. Erm, it was Built a To Last!
I really do like this…
I really do like this release. It mirrors what the Dead had to say at that time of their career. A difficult time it might have been. Not sure whether they were really onto something exquisit with this batch of songs. But then, who else played music like that at that time? There's still gold in them hills. Not a real treasure. But enough to sparkle now and then, in the course of these 80 minutes.
JOHN64 - Download
I ordered the blue/white vinyl as well and received it although I can’t make myself open it (silly, I know). I assumed I’d get an email with a download link but I suppose it could have a download code inside. I emailed support yesterday but have not yet received a response. Hopefully a download link will come shortly as well as your actual vinyl.
Lazy River Road and Eternity....
.... were very much welcome when I saw them.
Colored vinyl
Just got a shipping notice this morning. No download link either, which seems consistent with others experience. Maybe they include a download code in the package?
Anyway looking forward to this release.