Exceptional Box
This is a must have for Deadheads and anyone who appreciates American roots music. The Dead have always been able to blend rock, blues, jazz, country, and folk... the American songbook... into a product that is uniquely theirs but accessible to everyone. It is great to hear the progression of the band through their greatest recordings (American Reality and Workingman's Dead)and see the evolving vision. All of the CD's include new tracks. The box is lovingly and beautifully packaged. Well worth the price even if you have the original recordings.

Great Music, Skittery Discs
This boxed set is a great collection, but I had trouble with skitter on a number of tracks. iTunes error correction corrected most of the issues except for the Shakedown Street disc. Maybe I just got a bad copy.

For completists and rarity collectors
Early in most Dead collectors history, they would forego the band's studio albums and seek out bootleg live material. This collection has two benefits. As a completist collector, it gives one the satisfaction of having ALL the Arista "albums". "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie" has been returned to the Reckoning CD that was left off of earlier pressings. "My Brother Esau" is included on "In The Dark" which wasn't on all releases at the time either.
I personally bought this set for the bonus tracks added to each disc. There are some tasty cuts on here. One of my most treasured fillers on a live tape was Phil's demos of "Pride of Cucamonga" and "Unbroken Chain" acoustic. And here they are with no generation loss. "Distorto" is a thrashing instrumental version of "Crazy Fingers". "Hollywood Cantata" is "Music Never Stops" but with the Robert Hunter lyrics. There are many grooves and jams and check out unreleased songs like "Ascent" and "Equinox". Bobby's acoustic demo of "Weather Report Suite" makes me rethink my earlier Bobby bashing and recognize not many rhythm guitarists can stand next to Jerry for all those years. And the bonus material for both Reckoning and Dead Set are two entirely separate discs from the era.
So listen to the bonus material and treat your ears to a refreshing session of "new" Grateful Dead music.

Grateful Dead: Beyond Description (1973-1989)

slightly weaker--still five stars
Okay , the Dead's studio material declined a bit between 1973-1989. So what.There's still a veritable treasure trove of previously unreleased material here. Hours upon hours. And who could own "The Golden Road" without owning the follow-up ?

The title says it all
If you look back in time, who is the greatest American band. Doors? CCR? Nope, its the Grateful Dead. Not taking away anything from the Doors or CCR but The Dead could do everything those bands did but better. Although the albums are not on par with there earlier works, its still a must own set. The box set cover is pretty sweet. The music is amazing and for the price, its worth every penny. I cant stop listening to the music.