Got my "Grateful Dead" movie and bonus "piece of the film"!!

[MikeT]

I received my order from the Grateful Dead store of "Grateful Dead Movie" and 5-disc "Soundtrack of the Grateful Dead Movie". :righton:

I also received my bonus "piece of the actual film", which was actually in a small plain white envelope (similar to those you might use to mail a letter in). I pull out the strip of film and it is in good shape. I was hoping to get a shot of Jerry or maybe a piece of the animation at the start of the film. Regardless, I got a few frames of Phil (w/beard) during the part of the film where he is demonstrating his bass and then creates some "feedback". Actually pretty nice.

Having the little piece of the film is not essential, but it is "fun" to have.

So anyone else order from Grateful Dead Merch? And what piece of film did you get??

[GuyDon]

I also received my movie and cds today. My piece of film is of the psychedelic stage backdrop. Can't wait to watch this Friday night.

[Jerry]

I bought my Dead movie for $19.95 at Best Buy today. $10 extra for a piece of film that you can't do anything with seems a bit silly. I've supported the Dead organization since 1972, by buying all their lps, all their cds of those albums, dozens of live cds from Dick's Picks and other live sets, lots of videos, tickets to over 200 shows, merchandise and even ties and eyeglass frames. You think they might cut us a break anything? How about a frequent buyer's club or something? Lately the merchandise floodgates have opened, and I think it's time to be more selective. I never thought that rampant greed would pervade the Dead camp.

I can't wait to watch the movie.

[jeendicott]

I know what you mean about the merchandising. On the other hand, $35 for the soundtrack--five CDs jammed (pun intended) to the maximum--is not too bad a deal, and their pre-order special got the CD and DVD shipped to you for roughly $55, about what the two would have cost separately. The bit of film is a nice extra I'll probably file and forget about. (I got a segment of Bobby.)

Based on the first disc, playing now, the sound on the CDs is excellent, with nice, meaty bass. Anyone else play the soundtrack yet?

[FredCamp]

I bought the dvd/cd soundtrack package, and I have to say it was a bargain. A 2 dvd set plus a 5 cd set for just under $60 (before shipping, of course). I've been listening to the soundtrack nonstop since it arrived. What I've seen of the movie looks great and sounds better. It has been a while since I'd seen the movie. My last copy was on Beta tape, if that tells you anything.

Has anyone done an A/B/C listening to the new 5.1 soundtrack/old soundtrack in 5.1/stereo track?

My film strip is about 8 frames of the top of Bob's forehead has he approaches the microphone. Disappointing, but a good conversation piece.

[vintageonevinyl]

I was happy to see the UPS man pull up yesterday. The works arrived yesterday. What a nice package. (It arrived with along with a package filled with Disk Doctor record cleaning supplies from Humorem. Thanks TP!) Having the audio CD's from that famous week of their '74 retirement is a treat. Listening to the opening cut of US Blues gave me goosebumps. Jerry was in top form.

As for the DVD, I went straight for the "extra footage" disc! They actually focus the camera on Jerry's fingers on the fretboard during his melodic solos.

I'm happy.

I got a clip showing a panoramic view of the inside of The Winterland filled with cheering fans!

[GuyDon]

I bought my Dead movie for $19.95 at Best Buy today. $10 extra for a piece of film that you can't do anything with seems a bit silly. I've supported the Dead organization since 1972, by buying all their lps, all their cds of those albums, dozens of live cds from Dick's Picks and other live sets, lots of videos, tickets to over 200 shows, merchandise and even ties and eyeglass frames. You think they might cut us a break anything? How about a frequent buyer's club or something? Lately the merchandise floodgates have opened, and I think it's time to be more selective. I never thought that rampant greed would pervade the Dead camp.

I can't wait to watch the movie.

Jerry, I could also care less about the strip of film, but if the DVDs & CDs were bought in tandem, it came out to roughly $20.00 for the DVD and $35.00 for the five CDs. All in all it was a wash with the film strip thrown in.

However, I do understand your gripe with all the merchandise flowing lately.

[Jeffrey]

Hi,

Jerry's widow is not my friend, pink slipping family members seems wrong, and other business decisions are questionable.

Nevertheless, what's the rub w/ a large influx of merchandise? If merchandise was being produced at such a rate that it compromised sonics i would understand BUT i'm not hearing that complaint! Why keep on watching your almost 30 yr. ole' VHS copy of the movie when you can step up to the new DVD w/ extras? Why keep on listening to your ole' inferior boots when you can step up to the new CD's?

Better is better,
Jeffrey

[Jeffrey]

I never thought that rampant greed would pervade the Dead camp.


Hi,

We lost the heart of the band (who other than Jerry never cared about money?), added a greedy widow, and other women were added to the mix via marriage........ i'm NOT surprised but share your disdain.

Take care,
Jeffrey

[Jerry]

I apologize if I seemed to throw a bad vibe on the whole GDM thing. I still buy Dick's Picks, about 90% of the releases. And all of the multi-track releases. I bought the "Golden Road" box, "So Many Roads" box, the Jerry box, as well as the first 2 "Pure Jerry" releases. And they've done a great job on quality ,selection of material and packaging. I would rather buy direct and keep GDM employees working, rather than Best Buy. But I'm not rich and think that maybe just once in a while they could throw the faithful a bone with a special offer or free shipping or package deal, better than 8 frames of Weir's head. And come on, $250 for a Closing of Winterland poster? I was at that show and would LOVE a blue rose poster, nothin' fancy, if it was more reasonably priced. But $250? W. W. J. S. (What would Jerry say?) Maybe I should fire off a letter to GDM...

[ceddy10165]

it's killing me that this is out and I cannot see it, but I have to wait for XMAS.

I never thought it could be possible, but the question with the GD becomes, how much is enough? records, a thousand tapes, then thousands of CDs, every Vault release and DP, plus all the other doo-dads. I cannot afford to keep up anymore, even with something like the recent box and DVD which i'm drooling for. I think of the hours and days and months of CDs already on the shelf to listen to...

keep the reviews coming--I'm really looking forward to your thoughts.

[MikeT]

W. W. J. S. (What would Jerry say?) Maybe I should fire off a letter to GDM...

I think part of the problem now is that Grateful Dead Merchandising is not GDM that we all used to know and love. They are wholly run by MusicToday (who run other on-line direct from the band merchandising like Dave Matthews Band, Govt Mule and a plethora of others I can't remember right now).

I am sure the Grateful Dead have some sort of a say as to how the business might be handled, but the lions share seems to be the usual MusicToday day to day business.

The problem is you say you want to keep GDM people working as opposed to BestBuy, but you are really keeping people who work for MusicToday in Virginia in business more-so than GDM (if GDM even exists in any form like the old GDM??).

I am not trying to side with the Grateful Dead on-line store, but they do "throw us a bone" in a way by adding bonus discs, etc. to those who pre-order and/or order through their site. I do agree that a frequent buyers program might be something to pursue - since I buy almost all Dead related stuff (shirts, Dicks Picks, Pure Jerry, DVDs, etc.) direct from the Grateful Dead Store.

Hey, who knows - maybe in 10 years my little "piece of the GD film" of Phil will be worth much dinero. I might try to get Phil to sign the thing the next time he is in town (that is if you go to one of his blood donation drives where he sets up shop and will sign anything you bring him from what I understand).

[ceddy10165]

that's interesting about the operation of GDM--I had no idea.
I wonder if any of the band members do have any real input anymore on the day-to-day, other than the occaisonal walk-through.
It's correct that Phil cut ties years ago with GDM, right?
anyway, certainly not complaining about the glut of releases, I just wish I had the predicament 15 years ago when I had disposable income! ; )

[Jerry]

Wow Mike. Interesting indo about GDM. Thanks! I get most of the bonus stuff for ordering through them, but there're coming too fast and furious for me to order in time. And I noticed NO MENTION of Phil in the "Thanks" list in the "GD MOVIE". Would like to hear his take on all this!

[Jeffrey]

Hi,

Ugly (and/or dated) Rumors. :laugh: The past is the past and last time i checked, Phil was playing w/ The Dead and the boyz were getting along fine. Jill always cashed the GDM checks. :laugh:

Take care,
Jeffrey

[FredCamp]

I hear everything that everyone is saying here, but the truth is that the Grateful Dead Movie is finally out of a nice dvd. I've been waiting for it ever since I got my first player 6 years ago. Personally, I cannot afford to keep up with everything that comes out -- I have to pick and choose, too. But I say bring it all on. I'll buy what I can.

[Jerry]

Ok, now I've seen it all! Go to

http://www.jerrygarciavault.com/?aid=27577

to order a Garcia coffe mug for $44, or a short sleeve t-shirt for $81. Is this for real or is the purple microdot from the COW show coming back to haunt me?

Pure Jerry Pure Profit

[MikeP5877]

Whoa! I don't get this talk about "rampant greed". The Grateful Dead have been more than generous to their legions of fans. They managed to keep ticket prices low when they toured. They let their fans freely trade bootlegs of their live shows. Hell, they even set up a "tapers section" at their shows. Their Dicks Picks shows are still very cheap compared to other CD's. Look at the Golden Road box set - they could have simply reissued their W/B catalog and leave it at that. But they added copious amounts of bonus material. This stuff is golden (no pun intended) if your a fan.

I've amassed about 600 hours worth of Dead tapes and CD's over the years, most of which I still love to listen to. That's 600 hours for FREE not counting blank tapes and postage. I certainly don't mind giving something back to them. I agree some of the merchandising is riduculous (I don't need a Jerry mug for $5, let alone $44). But I don't think releasing music that their fans know and love can simply be attributed to "rampant greed". If they make a profit that's great! It's their intellectual property, most of which has been on loan to us free of charge for decades.

Until Jerry died, the Grateful Dead made a ton of $$$ touring. This money supported dozens of families, workers, a whole corporation. Without the tour revenue, you need to cut staff, raise a few prices, and open up the tape vaults. Even though the "Dead" resumed touring recently, they don't pull in nearly what they used to revenue-wise.

I say keep the releases coming and I'll buy every one of them.

Latvala!

[MikeT]

Ok, now I've seen it all! Go to

http://www.jerrygarciavault.com/?aid=27577

to order a Garcia coffe mug for $44, or a short sleeve t-shirt for $81. Is this for real or is the purple microdot from the COW show coming back to haunt me?

Pure Jerry Pure Profit


I saw that a few weeks ago, around the same time you could pre-order the On Broadway Pure Jerry releases. I was taken aback, until I realized these are the original items issued years ago - and they are probably limited in nature. Personally I wouldn't buy any of this stuff for that kind of price, and I do wonder how they came up with those prices - but there is probably a market for it. Hey all of Jerry's ex-wives, daughters and girlfriends have to eat and live too. :winkgrin:

[MikeT]

Whoa! I don't get this talk about "rampant greed". The Grateful Dead have been more than generous to their legions of fans. They managed to keep ticket prices low when they toured. They let their fans freely trade bootlegs of their live shows. Hell, they even set up a "tapers section" at their shows. Their Dicks Picks shows are still very cheap compared to other CD's. Look at the Golden Road box set - they could have simply reissued their W/B catalog and leave it at that. But they added copious amounts of bonus material. This stuff is golden (no pun intended) if your a fan.

I've amassed about 600 hours worth of Dead tapes and CD's over the years, most of which I still love to listen to. That's 600 hours for FREE not counting blank tapes and postage. I certainly don't mind giving something back to them. I agree some of the merchandising is riduculous (I don't need a Jerry mug for $5, let alone $44). But I don't think releasing music that their fans know and love can simply be attributed to "rampant greed". If they make a profit that's great! It's their intellectual property, most of which has been on loan to us free of charge for decades.

Until Jerry died, the Grateful Dead made a ton of $$$ touring. This money supported dozens of families, workers, a whole corporation. Without the tour revenue, you need to cut staff, raise a few prices, and open up the tape vaults. Even though the "Dead" resumed touring recently, they don't pull in nearly what they used to revenue-wise.

I say keep the releases coming and I'll buy every one of them.

Latvala!

What he said, and more. :righton:

[Jerry]

I'll keep on buying too. I'll still order every Dick's Picks they put out pre-1982. I buy the movies and the studio stuff, and occasionally a shirt or something. I'm just saying that a small discount, like 5-10% off, would be a kind gesture to frequent purchasers like me and tens of thousands of others of loyal heads. GDM has a record of the large amount of money I've spent with them, so it wouldn't be too hard to say "Hey, thanks Jerry, for all your business over the years. Here's a coupon for 10% off your next order, or free shipping." Is this unreasonable? I continue to order from GDM and pay a bit more with thoughts of keeping the money "in the family", although I'm not sure there's any true family left. Lately, they make me feel like a lemming, ya know?

[Rich Malloy]

Any more thoughts on sound and video quality?

[GregY]

Rich, you haven't bought this yet!? :eek: :)

[FredCamp]

I'll keep on buying too. I'll still order every Dick's Picks they put out pre-1982. I buy the movies and the studio stuff, and occasionally a shirt or something. I'm just saying that a small discount, like 5-10% off, would be a kind gesture to frequent purchasers like me and tens of thousands of others of loyal heads. GDM has a record of the large amount of money I've spent with them, so it wouldn't be too hard to say "Hey, thanks Jerry, for all your business over the years. Here's a coupon for 10% off your next order, or free shipping." Is this unreasonable? I continue to order from GDM and pay a bit more with thoughts of keeping the money "in the family", although I'm not sure there's any true family left. Lately, they make me feel like a lemming, ya know?


I'm with ya, man. There's just too much stuff. The nature of The GRateful Dead as a band makes every perfomance different, so every Dicks Picks is unique and well worth the money. Just in case anyone from GDM reads this, if I had a 10% off coupon, I'd probably use it immediately, buying something cool but trivial, like a polo shirt. They need to encourage more impulse buying from fools like me who are soon parted from their money. I have no restraint. :D

I'm listening to the GD Movie soundtrack right now, and it just sizzles. One of the best Weather Report Suites around, I think. I've only been able to watch the dvd in bits and pieces (though a full viewing with friends is scheduled for tomorrow), but I gotta say that the look on Jerry's face as the band goes from the Playing In The Band jam back into the middle riff of the song is well worth the price of admission I paid to GDM. I think picture quality and sound quality are first rate. We can rage all we want about the merchandising of the Grateful Dead, but in the end what matters is that I've got this great document of the band on dvd and cd, in my house, on my system, etc. It's great. :edthumbs:

[Rich Malloy]

Finally got it... and sampled a good bit from disc one last night! Thusfar, it strikes me as the very best of the GD DVD releases, even absent a DTS track.

Has anyone done an A/B/C listening to the new 5.1 soundtrack/old soundtrack in 5.1/stereo track?
I started off with the default track, which I presumed was likely the new remix. I was wrong -- turned out to be the original soundtrack "in 5.1", whatever that means (and I did think I heard some discrete mixing in the rear channels, which means it ain't the original mix). Anyway, it was rather anemic. I switched to track 2, which turned out to be the new remix... there's the midrange! That put some meat back on the bones and sounded a good deal more like the audio tapes we've been listening to all these years. Very satisfying.

I didn't make it to the bonus disc, but I noticed that it includes many of my favorite pieces from this period (or any period). From the cover, it looked as though these tracks both received the "fresh" 5.1 and 2.0 remixes, but I noticed right before putting it away that the video was taken from "the original 16 MM negatives" (I think it said). As I recall, disc one was transferred from "the original" 35 MM negatives transferred in HD, framed at 1.78:1, and anamorphically-enhanced. So, I guess the video on disc 2 ain't quite up to the quality of disc 1? But the audio is?

(I guess I'll find out tonight!)