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    What's Inside:
    •144-page paperback book with essays by Nicholas G. Meriwether and Blair Jackson
    •A portfolio with three art prints by Jessica Dessner
    • Replica ticket stubs and backstage passes for all eight shows
    •8 complete shows on 23 discs
          •3/14/90 Capital Centre, Landover, MD
          •3/18/90 Civic Center, Hartford, CT
          •3/21/90 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
          •3/25/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY
          •3/28/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
          •3/29/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (featuring Branford Marsalis)
          •4/1/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
          •4/3/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
    Recorded by long-time Grateful Dead audio engineer John Cutler
    Mixed from the master 24-track analog tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir's TRI Studios
    Mastered to HDCD specs by David Glasser
    Original Art by Jessica Dessner
    Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 9,000

    Announcing Spring 1990 (The Other One)

    "If every concert tells a tale, then every tour writes an epic. Spring 1990 felt that way: an epic with more than its share of genius and drama, brilliance and tension. And that is why the rest of the music of that tour deserves this release, why the rest of those stories need to be heard." - Nicholas G. Meriwether

    Some consider Spring 1990 the last great Grateful Dead tour. That it may be. In spite of outside difficulties and downsides, nothing could deter the Grateful Dead from crafting lightness from darkness. They were overwhelmingly triumphant in doing what they came to do, what they did best — forging powerful explorations in music. Yes, it was the music that would propel their legacy further, young fans joining the ranks with veteran Dead Heads, Jerry wondering "where do they keep coming from?" — a sentiment that still rings true today, a sentiment that offers up another opportunity for an exceptional release from a tour that serves as transcendental chapter in the Grateful Dead masterpiece.

    With Spring 1990 (The Other One), you'll have the chance to explore another eight complete shows from this chapter, the band elevating their game to deliver inspired performances of concert staples (“Tennessee Jed” and “Sugar Magnolia”), exceptional covers (Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and the band’s last performance of the Beatles’ “Revolution”) and rare gems (the first “Loose Lucy” in 16 years) as well as many songs from Built To Last, which had been released the previous fall and would become the Dead’s final studio album. Also among the eight is one of the most sought-after shows in the Dead canon: the March, 29, 1990 show at Nassau Coliseum, where Grammy®-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis sat in with the group. The entire second set is one continuous highlight, especially the breathtaking version of “Dark Star.”

    For those of you who are keeping track, this release also marks a significant milestone as now, across the two Spring 1990 boxed sets, Dozin At The Knick, and Terrapin Limited, the entire spring tour of 1990 has been officially released, making it only the second Grateful Dead tour, after Europe 1972, to have that honor.

    Now shipping, you'll want to order your copy soon as these beautiful boxes are going, going, gone...

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  • estimating prof
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    Happy listening
    Just want to say that I am very happy with this box set. Initially, I decided I wasn't going to buy this because I have the first box and this is a big price tag, thought the better shows were in that one, etc. I ordered this after reading all the raving comments on here. Since I caved and bought it, I saved the box as a Christmas present. I opened it a bit early so that I could listen during traveling. I’ve only listened to the first three shows so far, but Wow. It is such good sound quality. I especially like the way that Brent’s organ sounds. I had never really listened to 3/18 or 3/21 before and they are both really good shows. I’m starting to believe the hype that these are all good shows. I really like 3/18/90. Pretty much the whole show rocks. Looking forward to hearing 4/1 and 4/3 in this sound quality. Really nice!
  • wjonjd
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    Great Shows
    Yeah, I think ALL the shows on this tour were great. Besides the obviously special 3/29 show, the 3/14 and 4/1 shows are standouts. Just fantastic.
  • wjonjd
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    Two great links
    Two great links: One is a great article on expectation bias, but it also has some good technical information and a couple of really cool links as well. I added a second link that has some interesting stuff about listening tests and other digital audio trivia. nwavguy.blogspot.de nwavguy.blogspot.de/2012/04/what-we-hear.html The other is a link I've posted before, but it covers ground so critical to the digital audio topic, and does it so well, that I'm reposting that link: xiph.org/~xiphmont/demo/neil-young.html
  • wjonjd
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    a good link about DAC's and digital audio
    Hi rrot (and anyone else interested), I didn't find the original link I first saw, but, I found something better. It's a link to two videos. I needed to use firefox to run them because my version of Internet Explorer wouldn't run them. they're about 30 minutes and 23 minutes and they're REALLY REALLY informative and well done. Start with the SECOND video. The second video is MUCH more relevant to the discussion here, but vid1 does have some interesting stuff. http://xiph.org/video/vid1.shtml and http://xiph.org/video/vid2.shtml Clears up a lot of myths and is very easy to understand - he actually shows you what he is talking about with actual equipment. You can also download it and watch it in a media player.
  • rrot
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    If you turn up that link
    I would love to hear about it. Read all your other posts and the associated links with great interest. I might have even learned some things! One thing that you have pointed out that no one can deny is that hi-fi audio is a field rife with misinformation in the service of salesmanship. You've been doing yeoman's work in cutting through the BS. It's appreciated!
  • wjonjd
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    DAC's
    Hey rrot, I was looking for a link I've seen in the past but can't find it yet. It is my understanding that modern DAC's are virtually perfect. That wasn't always the case. There is also the problem that even with near-perfect modern DAC's, PC's are something of a hostile environment due to noise/interference, which is one reason external DAC's are frequently sought out. But, the internal logic/functioning of the modern DAC chips, it is my understanding, is virtually perfect at recreating the original analog sound wave, which the Nyquist theorem stated before they existed that they should be able to do. Mathematically, you can re-create the original perfectly. I guess the problem is getting the hardware/software to do it. It is my understanding that modern dac's do this basically flawlessly.
  • rrot
    Joined:
    I am drinking up
    Drinking up all this info on digital audio, that is! Thanks, wjonjd! I am wondering about one thing: "the DAC can mathematically recreate the EXACT analog sound wave" From time to time, in discussions of upgrading home audio reproduction equipment, I will see the suggestion that a "better" DAC is essential. Is there anything to this?
  • wjonjd
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    Dynamic Compression on the CDs
    Hi Fourwinds, I looked at my original post to you and it was uncalled for, inaccurate, condescending, and not my best moment. I have emailed DL letting him know what I found when I analyzed the CD and HD files, and asked him to ask Jeffrey Norman or other engineers if my conclusion is accurate, and why they feel they must do this. I'll report back if I hear anything back.
  • fourwindsblow
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    Thanks wjonjd
    The fact that dynamic compression was used on the cd's is why they sound like they do.
  • brianhahne
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    Marye
    Order #'s sent to you. I will also call Customer Service this afternoon and see if they have an update.
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17 years 1 month
jq171(document).ready(function (jq171) { var covertArtDownloadMarkup = 'Looking for the digital cover art? You can download it here.'; setTimeout(function() { jq171('#digital_cart').append(covertArtDownloadMarkup); }, 500); });

What's Inside:
•144-page paperback book with essays by Nicholas G. Meriwether and Blair Jackson
•A portfolio with three art prints by Jessica Dessner
• Replica ticket stubs and backstage passes for all eight shows
•8 complete shows on 23 discs
      •3/14/90 Capital Centre, Landover, MD
      •3/18/90 Civic Center, Hartford, CT
      •3/21/90 Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
      •3/25/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY
      •3/28/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
      •3/29/90 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY (featuring Branford Marsalis)
      •4/1/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
      •4/3/90 The Omni, Atlanta, GA
Recorded by long-time Grateful Dead audio engineer John Cutler
Mixed from the master 24-track analog tapes by Jeffrey Norman at Bob Weir's TRI Studios
Mastered to HDCD specs by David Glasser
Original Art by Jessica Dessner
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 9,000

Announcing Spring 1990 (The Other One)

"If every concert tells a tale, then every tour writes an epic. Spring 1990 felt that way: an epic with more than its share of genius and drama, brilliance and tension. And that is why the rest of the music of that tour deserves this release, why the rest of those stories need to be heard." - Nicholas G. Meriwether

Some consider Spring 1990 the last great Grateful Dead tour. That it may be. In spite of outside difficulties and downsides, nothing could deter the Grateful Dead from crafting lightness from darkness. They were overwhelmingly triumphant in doing what they came to do, what they did best — forging powerful explorations in music. Yes, it was the music that would propel their legacy further, young fans joining the ranks with veteran Dead Heads, Jerry wondering "where do they keep coming from?" — a sentiment that still rings true today, a sentiment that offers up another opportunity for an exceptional release from a tour that serves as transcendental chapter in the Grateful Dead masterpiece.

With Spring 1990 (The Other One), you'll have the chance to explore another eight complete shows from this chapter, the band elevating their game to deliver inspired performances of concert staples (“Tennessee Jed” and “Sugar Magnolia”), exceptional covers (Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and the band’s last performance of the Beatles’ “Revolution”) and rare gems (the first “Loose Lucy” in 16 years) as well as many songs from Built To Last, which had been released the previous fall and would become the Dead’s final studio album. Also among the eight is one of the most sought-after shows in the Dead canon: the March, 29, 1990 show at Nassau Coliseum, where Grammy®-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis sat in with the group. The entire second set is one continuous highlight, especially the breathtaking version of “Dark Star.”

For those of you who are keeping track, this release also marks a significant milestone as now, across the two Spring 1990 boxed sets, Dozin At The Knick, and Terrapin Limited, the entire spring tour of 1990 has been officially released, making it only the second Grateful Dead tour, after Europe 1972, to have that honor.

Now shipping, you'll want to order your copy soon as these beautiful boxes are going, going, gone...

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Since there isn't a page for this particular box set anymore, anyone around here have an idea when "Winterland June 1977" box set will be back in the store? Thanks!!
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10 years 5 months
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I doubt that's coming back. It's been sold out for many months. It sold out around the time Winterland 73 sold out and that one is probably not coming back either.
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15 years 8 months
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I'm afraid I don't have time to read 34 pages' worth of comments right about now, so I'm hoping that someone can answer this for me (with apologies if it has already been asked and answered somewhere in this thread): are the Hi-Def files seamless, or are there fade-outs (and fade-ins) between drums and space like there would be on the Apple files? I instinctively want to believe that they would be seamless, as they can't be burned to discs but I would appreciate it if someone could confirm this for me. Thanks in advance!
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9 years 7 months
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I finally talked myself into picking this up the other day. Came today, I am just starting disc 2 of 3-14 and I am already so glad I picked this up. The sound is incredible and the band was killing it. The box is on another level. I am now thinking I wished I had bought the first box when I had the chance. I won't pay $900 and up for it, i guess i will just keep my eyes peeled for a deal. Thanks for the push fellow heads.
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13 years 2 months
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Johndrano, You can now get the first box set as a lossless download. You don't get the book and other bits and pieces and you will have to burn your own cds if you want to listen on a cd player but the cost of the ALAC version from dead.net is way cheaper than $900! Here's the link http://www.dead.net/store/1990s/spring-1990-volume-one-box?intcmp=store…
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9 years 6 months
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Was listening to the Nassau 3/28/90 show earlier and when thinking about the cover artwork-- the wolf, raven and gold crown piece-- couldn't help but think Jessica Dessner had Game of Thrones on her mind. Or... maybe I just do!
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I really wish these downloads were available piecemeal, show by show. I would definitely pick up each show individually over time, but dropping $200 all at once can be difficult for some people. Love that the FLACs are in HD though...
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I am not sure if i get this,people are saying that the recordings are not that great for one reason or another but what it comes down to is these shows will put you to sleep. The overall energy is almost invisible 7 minute Halfstep,8 minute playin's, 17 minutes for a Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklins Tower TOTAL. A 8 or 9 minute China-Cat>Rider has no time to even find a groove or a 19 minute Scarlet-fire it's over before it starts. How is this for an idea lets forget the '90's forever plus there was a million tapers if you want that MIDI bullshit. Why not jump to some shows worth listening to like march of '73,fall of '73 with horns,6/22,6/23,6/27/74,10/15,11/1,11/6/77 or 4/12,5/7/78 or 2/17/79,1/5/79 i could keep going but one thing is for damn sure NO MORE'90's please. Am i the only person that despise's that freaking midi-sound?
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12 years 11 months
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Ya know, I'm not the biggest 80s or 90s fan either. But I gotta say the 3/21/90 show kinda blows me away. There is a ton of energy here and little MIDI. I saw 30 or so shows in the 80s and none of them were as good as this one. Maybe it's an acquired taste. Give it a few spins and see if you don't warm up to it.
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A reply to the poster from 4/30. Besides being a very poorly written post and wandering to the point where I don't know exactly what they were trying to say other than they don't like GD after 1979.. I simply disagree. I love '67 - 74 too, but if you don't like later day sound, no one is holding a gun to your head to get this, please have some manners and show some respect. There's plenty of energy in the shows in this box. I am half-way through a second listen of this whole tour and added in Formerly the Warlocks and Nightfall of Diamonds for good measure. The song selections, recordings, performances and mix are peak, later year GD. I especially like the song selections and performances contained in this box. I am happy to disagree with the rant two posts prior to this and dig the mix on Spring '90 TOO. My experience is more in line with One-Man's. Enjoy.
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8 years 10 months
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Just received my box... its awesome. Used my cancelled FTW monies..looks like some cold rain and snow will start here soon ..peace
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10 years 8 months
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Have fun on tour! Good choice,enjoy!:)
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15 years 4 months
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I've been a loyal fan since '76. Had tons of tapes, now CDs, bought all the Dicks, Daves, and box releases. This box, in my opinion, has the finest quality live Dead recordings I have ever heard. You really feel like you're on stage with them. Well done guys!
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Piggybacking on @rdrewr's comment, this box set will in the end prove to be money far, far better spent than getting the Fare Thee Well set. The sound quality/mix is magnificent. And as much as I enjoyed watching & listening to the Chicago shows they do not in any way have the repeat listening value that this does. Also, I love me some Trey Anastasio -- I do -- but Jerry is here and he plays pretty damn well on these dates, with a band that is tight with him and vice-versa. It's really no comparison.
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8 years 10 months
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Such good $$ spent here. Mix clear and in my face (yep, very loud, haha) Blessed that one left for me. rrot.. your right. Peace to all. Jerry, happy Bday my friend, miss you tons :((
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13 years 5 months
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I'm listening to a few of these gems for the last week, 3/14, 3/21, 4/1, WOW these have awesome sound. And the band is ON every night, almost, on this tour. I can't believe this isn't sold out. Jeez, this is some of the hottest later dead around! Thanks to those who made these great recordings, and mixes. I am truly grateful! nitecat
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16 years 10 months
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I'm also surprised this hasn't sold out yet. The quality of the recordings and performances are top notch. I revisit this release more than any other. The unconditional generosity by many people here to gift me this treasure trove makes it all that much more special for me. THANK YOU!!!
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8 years 9 months
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Maybe not sold out because they have made an awesome hi-res download version available ... it is what I bought.

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10 years
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It's really a great sounding box and the shows are very good. Very glad I bought it after all
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10 years 5 months
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I bought it unopened on ebay, and the tray that holds the book was damaged (smashed in and torn where it says Spring 1990) when Rhino put the set together. Not the end of the world, the music still sounds great, but I'm now looking for a replacement of that piece. If anybody wants to sell just the box, please PM me. I don't even need the extras or the book..really just need the tray. Thanks.
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12 years 10 months
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If you haven't got this by now and want it.. There's less than 100 left, bet it disappears just about the time the first tax refunds start to appear.
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Incredible performances. Something about these 1990 shows really let your mind melt into the music. They're so polished and smooth sounding. There's so many aspects to attribute to the sound here and it's absolutely mind blowing. Just to name one minor piece, I know some people dislike the use of Jerry's MIDI equipped guitar, but I personally think it adds something truly unique to the performances. Maybe even a touch of surprise at times. The goodies that come in the boxed set are great as well. Definitely a must for Dead enthusiasts.
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8 years 5 months
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I just ordered this box set. I have volume 1. Love it. I guess I didn't realize that there was a volume 2 until a few days ago. I don't come here a lot. Looking forward to Xmas. For that price, it's an Xmas present to me.
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8 years 7 months
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I'm down to only two 30 trips to listen with virgin ears (72 & 74) and saw this box was 15% off yesterday. As my wife likes to tell me, "It was on sale, I just saved you money!" We'll see if this man smarter.
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8 years 6 months
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This man smarter! The music is great! You will be so happy!
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Quality is first rate. Sound and workmanship of the cases, printing on the CD's All First rate. I wish though that iTunes didn't make it so hard to gulp these down onto the computer. Inconsistent album titles. Inconsistent dics numbers. Of all the CD's it took longer to sort them out in iTunes than it too to rip them. Grrr. I understand that this is Apple/iTunes fault and not the CDs.
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I find it incredible that this box is not sold out. The sound is first rate and Jerry's playing and vocals are strong. While some have complained about the MIDI, there were only two or three times it didn't work for me. In fact, I found it a nice change in LLR which is always a buzz kill for me. Touch is bouncy, Man Smart very good (although the attempt for audience interaction doesn't cut it) and Althea one for the ages. Have fun!
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15 years 3 months
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Just wanted to throw this out there, I too was frustrated with iTunes metadata, however I believe this is from lazy and inaccurate individuals who load their poorly labeled discs to Gracenote or whatever, and then the options are usually wrong for the rest of us. This all started for me when I decided to import the E72 box. Nightmare!! My advice is, pick the option that "looks" the most accurate, but DO NOT import it as such. Instead, choose NOT to import, fix the mistakes first, then import away. Sorry for a three moth old reply, but we are all in this together. (~}:-
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8 years 7 months
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Been waiting for what seems like forever for this thing to sell out.
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8 years 1 month
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Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! On yesterday I have got my Spring Box (The Other One). Thanks a lot guys that you have bring to us this exciting and beautiful box!
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16 years 10 months
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Finally gone. That will make the folks at Rhino happy. Took a long time for one reason or another. Too soon after the first one? Simultaneous downloads available? 9000 was too many?
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9 years 6 months
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Pulled the trigger just in time this afternoon... Mickey's damn Beam told me, turns out it was the right call. Feels all the more special that it came so close. I'll be returning home to this precious package after nearly 4 months across the pond in a week plus. Perhaps my first post on deadland? I've been reading each and every release comment that you crazies have drummed up for years now. Maybe I'll be back! Nice place to be. Dave, dead.net, all involved in this community, thanks a ton!
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16 years 10 months
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The problem with posting when a release finally sells out is that it inevitably becomes available again a day or two later. Won't make that mistake again. Stranger than fiction.

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purplekush, I know this is a year after your post, but just for the record, gotta call b/s on your song-length observations: "7 minute Halfstep" ~ yeah, that's short, but so is 12/19/73 (7:29) "8 minute playin's" ~ 8:56 (7/1/78), meanwhile 10:27 (3/14/90), 11:40 (4/3/90) "17 minutes for a Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklins Tower TOTAL" ~ 14:50 (8/13/75) "8 or 9 minute China-Cat>Rider has no time to even find a groove" ~ 13:17 (3/15/90), 11:09 (3/26/90), 10:24 (4/01/90), 11:05 (9/19/90) No 8 or 9-minute versions I could find on any of my '90 releases. "a 19 minute Scarlet-fire it's over before it starts" ~ really? I guess these are, too? : 19:33 (10/16/77), 18:01 (11/2/77), 18:16 (5/11/78), 19:55 (7/3/78), 18:28 (7/7/78) 3/16/90's Scarlet > Estimated is 22:25. Incidentally, 11/4/77's Other One = 4:25, and 7/5/78's Truckin' = 7:29. They're both pretty hot, though. Morals of the story ~ some older years boast just as short or shorter lengths as '90; not all '90 lengths are as short as you claimed; and most importantly, song lengths alone do not tell the tale on performance heat. I do share your wish for one of the Fall '73 shows with horns!
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I'd check for you but I didn't order this box. Hopefully someone who did will be kind enough to take 5 mins to get you some confirmation so you don't think you're going nuts! beet juice
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Does anyone have any definitive information on what exactly this is? Heres a link to the ebay item, it has sold, so if you click on this link and you are on a computer or phone, you will need to click on the item to see the original listing. Then you can see the photos, and the numbered coin, which instead of havings its own number, it says, "miracle"? Im thinking this might be what they decided to do with promo copies, instead of leaving it blank, or stamping it "promo" like the FW69 boxset. The Dave's Picks series, all have blank promo copies. (Would be very interesting to know how many promos they make for each of these limited edition items!!) Ok, heres the link:http://m.ebay.com/itm/Grateful-Dead-Spring-1990-The-Other-One-Box-Set-M… If you have the ebay app, you can also just enter this number in the search box, and it will bring you to the same item. Again, it has already sold, so you will need to click on it, to open the original listing. That item number is: 162549487635 Id really like to know what the miracle means on the numbered coins...it makes sense that it would be a promo, that they sent out to reviewers and whomever else is lucky enough to get all this stuff, we all do everything we can to afford, for free! And instead of stamping promo, or leaving blank, they stamped miracle, as in here is your miracle (free) 1990 spring TOO boxset!!! Must be nice!!! Still, though, would like to know for sure! Thanks.
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To Fully reconstruct the show from 3/24/1990 at the Knick, you would need to buy " Without A Net " for the One More Saturday Night that closed the 1st Set, Postcards of the Hanging to get the Desolation Row that followed Loser in the 1st set, Dozin' at the Knick for Walking Blues in the 1st set and all of the 2nd set, and Spring 1990 (The Other One) to get the other songs from the 1st set. That show got hacked to pieces.
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