The Long, Strange Trip Continues: A Deep Dive into the Grateful Dead’s New Mega-Box Set
Grateful Dead enthusiasts, prepare yourselves. The legendary band is set to unleash a monumental collection of live recordings that promises to immerse you in their sprawling musical universe like never before. "Enjoying the Ride," a massive 60-CD box set, is poised to hit the shelves (and streaming services) on May 30th, offering a staggering 60 hours of music culled from the band’s iconic live performances spanning from 1969 to 1994. This comprehensive compilation arrives fittingly on the 60th anniversary of the band’s formation in 1965, a year that also marked their transition from the Warlocks to the Grateful Dead, cementing their place in music history.
Priced at $599.98, "Enjoying the Ride" is a treasure trove for Deadheads, featuring nearly 450 tracks, the vast majority of which are previously unreleased. To whet the appetite of eager fans, three tracks – unreleased versions of “Scarlet Begonias,” “Touch Of Grey,” and “Fire On The Mountain,” recorded live at the Berkeley Greek Theatre on July 13, 1984 – are currently available on various streaming platforms. These initial offerings provide a tantalizing glimpse into the sheer volume and variety of sonic experiences that await within the full collection.
The box set is meticulously curated, drawing from concert recordings captured at 20 different venues across the United States. It boasts 17 complete, full-length concerts, some augmented with additional material from the same venue, plus carefully selected performances from shows at three particularly significant locations: the Fillmore West, the Fillmore East, and the Boston Music Hall. These venues hold a special place in Grateful Dead lore, serving as pivotal stages in the band’s evolution and integral hubs for their ever-growing community of fans.
According to Grateful Dead archivist and legacy manager David Lemieux, the collection aims to encapsulate the essence of the Grateful Dead experience. "On these 60 CDs, you’ll find music spanning more than 25 years, from 1969 to 1994, with the venues and the millions of journeys to get to them, making an essential part of the story," Lemieux explains. He emphasizes the communal aspect of the Dead’s live shows, noting that "Going to see the Grateful Dead, following them from city to city, was likened to the modern equivalent of running away and joining the circus. These 20 venues are where the circus took us, and the show was something we never wanted to miss.”
For Mark Pinkus, President of Rhino Records, the box set holds a deeply personal significance. He recalls that the July 1984 show at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, featured in the collection, was his very first Grateful Dead concert, a formative experience that ignited a lifelong passion. Pinkus vividly remembers the "epic Dark Star encore" that sealed his fate as a devoted fan. "This show marked the start of a lifelong journey for me, and I’m willing to bet there are many shows in this fantastic set that will resonate with fans who also found community on the road," Pinkus states, adding, "I am forever honored to work alongside David and the Grateful Dead to keep this long, strange trip alive.”
Given the extensive nature of the collection, availability will be limited. Only 6,000 individually numbered copies of the 60-CD set will be produced. For those who prefer digital formats, the collection will also be available for download on the same day in ALAC ($399.99) and high-res FLAC ($499.99) formats.
Beyond the music itself, "Enjoying the Ride" aims to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience for fans. The set includes a meticulously crafted tour guide, featuring liner notes penned by Jesse Jarnow, author and co-host of the "Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast" podcast, along with a producer’s note from David Lemieux. The tour guide is further enriched by a trove of photographs, capturing the energy, atmosphere, and sheer joy of the Grateful Dead’s live performances.
While 60 CDs might seem like a daunting prospect to some, it’s worth noting that this isn’t even the largest Grateful Dead CD box set ever released. A decade ago, Rhino Records commemorated the band’s 50th anniversary with "30 Trips Around the Sun," an even more ambitious collection spanning 80 CDs. Although only 6,500 copies were made, determined fans can still find a few available on eBay, albeit at prices starting around $2,300.
The release of "Enjoying the Ride" is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Grateful Dead and their unique connection with their fanbase. Despite the rise of digital music consumption, the continued popularity of physical formats, particularly elaborate box sets, demonstrates a desire for a more tangible and immersive experience. The Grateful Dead are not alone in catering to this demand; other iconic musicians, such as Bob Dylan and The Band, have recently released mega-box sets of their own. These include "The 1974 Live Recordings" ($159.99), a 27-CD set featuring 417 live tracks from The Band and Dylan’s 1974 tour, and "Neil Young Archives Vol. III (1976-1987)," a 17-CD set showcasing unreleased albums, songs, and alternate and live versions (deluxe version with Blu-ray Disc, $449.98; CD version, $239.98).
The celebration of the Grateful Dead’s legacy extends beyond music. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery has recently unveiled Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale, a collaborative effort with the band. This 5.3% ABV beer is brewed with granola and krenza, a sustainable grain. Dogfish Head founder and brewer Sam Calagione explains, "As a beer geek with a music problem, few things in life are as sensorially sensational as enjoying a great beer while simultaneously listening to some great music." This marks the third beer the Delaware-based brewery and the band have collaborated on. Calagione adds, "With its layered, nuanced flavors of tropical hops complemented by its malty body, our Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale is as compelling and joyful as the band’s music.”
And the live music scene continues to thrive, fueled by the Grateful Dead’s enduring spirit. Dead & Company, featuring Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, along with John Mayer, are set to embark on their second residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, offering a visually stunning and sonically captivating experience for fans old and new.
"Enjoying the Ride" is more than just a box set; it’s a testament to the Grateful Dead’s enduring legacy, their unwavering commitment to live performance, and the vibrant community they fostered over decades. It’s an invitation to delve deeper into their vast musical landscape, to relive cherished memories, and to discover new sonic treasures. For Deadheads around the world, the long, strange trip continues, and this new collection promises to be an unforgettable chapter in the journey.
