Europe '72 - Europe '72: The Complete Recordings

Europe '72: The Complete Recordings

These "lost" original multitrack recordings have been recovered. Early in 2011, dead.net has announced a release of the complete Europe '72 shows, every note played on all 22 shows for the tour, under the name Europe '72: The Complete Recordings. Initially, this was to have been around 60 CDs but this was later revised, coincidentally it was claimed, to be 72 CDs. Once the final box set was completed, there were 73 CDs.

Per dead.net, as a hedge against the costs of the nearly two-month trip, the Dead’s label, Warner Bros., paid for the band to lug around a 16-track recorder to capture the entire tour. Demand from fans was higher than expected, and the limited numbered box set of 7,200 copies sold out as a pre-order in less than four days. The first three thousand copies ordered were also given a custom personalization option. A music only version without the limited box set accoutrements has been made available, though this may be limited in release as well. The box set shipped in September 2011. Those who purchased the box set had mixed opinions of its sound quality. Some were delighted by the new mixes, but many participants in the online discussion at deadnetcentral.com argued that although the sound improves upon that of previously circulating recordings in some respects, it is quite disappointing in others. An especially common complaint was that in many cases Keith Godchaux's piano, a crucial element of the band's sound during this period, is buried so deep in the mix that it is nearly inaudible.