It's that good. Upper echelon.

I think I'd actually like a hard copy of Volume 35.

I only made it through the first two discs today but this is really fucking excellent

The "Failchaux Tapes" indeed.

The early 1970s were a definite time for peak sonic explorations from the Grateful Dead. With the 'retirement' of Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (vocals/keyboard/mouth harp), much of the focus turned from the R&B rave-ups that McKerman had contributed as well as the decidedly countrified sound of their most recent studio efforts: Workingman's Dead (1970) and American Beauty (1970). Dick's Picks, Vol. 28 (2003) is an epic four-disc extravaganza featuring highlights from two consecutive performances on February 26, 1973 in Lincoln, NE and February 28, 1973 in Salt Lake City, UT, respectively. The operative phrase for the band -- and subsequently this set -- during this era (circa '73 -- '75) is jazz-fusion. This is reflected in the onslaught of new material as well as fresh interpretations on classic titles. In late 1971 the Grateful Dead's personnel incorporated the talents of the husband and wife team of Keith Godchaux (keyboards) and Donna Jean Godchaux (vocals). Their influence (especially Keith's) was almost immediately evident in his jazzy, soulful, and above all aggressive, contributions and interactions. In the 16 months that the couple had been with the Grateful Dead, their collaborative efforts were producing such consistently incendiary results, enthusiasts have rightfully coined the phrase "primal Dead" when attempting to describe the sonic immensity in the band when they are hitting on all cylinders. There is something for just about every dimension of Deadhead on Dick's Picks, Vol. 28. Those who prefer the comparatively shorter and self-contained tracks such as "Jack Straw," "Greatest Story Ever Told," and "Loser," are offered profound readings -- although acute ears might detect the occasional Bob Weir-ian lyrical flub. Other particularly striking performances include the seminal and note-perfect readings of "Row Jimmy," "Loose Lucy," and two (count 'em) white hot renderings of both "They Love Each Other"and "Eyes Of The World" -- all of which had only been introduced into the Grateful Dead's performance repertoire a few weeks earlier. Interestingly, the vast majority of the concert attendees had never heard any of those songs before. The band had yet to release them and it would be nine months until Wake Of The Flood (1973) would usher in a new era as they tried their hand at manufacturing and distributing their own releases via Grateful Dead Records for band projects, and Round Records for solo efforts. For such a significant number of unfamiliar tunes, the audience responds with equal enthusiasm to the new compositions as they do to the recognizable tracks such as the expansive "Playing In The Band," and "Not Fade Away," and the "Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad/Not Fade Away" (reprise) medley. The poignant "We Bid You Goodnight" is a somber and noteworthy conclusion as the Salt Lake City show was the last Grateful Dead performance that the band played prior to the death of one-time spiritual center Ron "Pigpen" McKernan -- who passed away a week later on March 8, 1973. Also of note is the phenomenal sound quality, which bests a majority of most other 30-year-old recordings.

as soon as i started up 28 i actually missed the dirty sound of 35, though yes this is pristine.
i've never heard 'they love each other' at this swing page. i love the usual plod, but this is a nice refresher.
otherwise, i'm feeling like we've heard this first set before.

past it already. pretty jarring comparison, you're right, but worthwhile to see the difference. i've not been listening to these as one-volume-per-day lately - doesn't seem like anyone has – but i don't mind this abrupt change. it's a little illuminating.

I've just made it through the Dark Star->Eyes-> to Half-Step... and realizing I shoulda burned a bowl this lazy workaday Friday. Nice stuff.

This triple-disc installment captures the Grateful Dead on the road in the American Midwest -- Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma City on October 19, 1973, to be exact. Enthusiasts have long agreed that the Dead's performances during this era contain a virtually tangible and overtly emotive quality. This three-plus hour show is persuasive testimony to the allegations that the Grateful Dead were making considerable progress in the musical research and development they had begun nearly a decade earlier. A primary motivation to keeping the tour machine on full-throttle was to help defray the expenses of their new in-house Grateful Dead Records label. Wake of the Flood -- the first group effort on their new moniker -- had been issued only a few days prior to this show. While over half of the tracks from the album are presented here, from that cache comes a particularly inspired combination of "Eyes of the World" and "Stella Blue." The joy of rediscovering these gems night after night fuels the Dead's passion to expand the music into new malleable forms of expression. A well-developed "Playing in the Band," as well as the intertwining couplet of "Dark Star" and "Morning Dew," best demonstrate the advanced state of the Dead's instincts to explore and uncover new variations on a theme. The incorporation of the "Mind Left Body Jam," as a conduit between the songs, is an example of this process in motion. Rather than forcing the music down a pre-determined path, they allow it to progress and unfold organically. This rare commodity seems to unite both performer and audience -- at least on this occasion it does.

Starting with Volume 19 and with only four sets to go, I'm gonna be honest and say that I'm finished with 'Promised Land', probably forever.

Yeah when I started it this morning I was thinking "Promised Land opener? How fucking original!"

19 is pretty pedestrian.