• 3,810 replies
    admin
    Joined:

    July 1978: The Complete Recordings

    What's Inside:

    • Five Complete Shows on 12 discs
    • 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO
    • 7/3/78 St. Paul Civic Center Arena: St. Paul, MN
    • 7/5/78 Omaha Civic Auditorium: Omaha, NE
    • 7/7/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
    • 7/8/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
    Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
    Artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope
    Intro and show-by-show liner notes by Nicholas Meriwether
    Producer's Note by David Lemieux
    Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
    Release Date: May 13, 2016

    Announcing July 1978: The Complete Recordings

    We’re pleased to announce JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, five incredible unreleased shows and the first official release from the long-lost tapes, recently returned to the Grateful Dead’s vault. Follow the Dead on a sonic journey through a superb selection of settings, an often epic adventure that finds them winning over Willie and Waylon fans in Kansas City, conjuring charisma in Omaha, and elevating the Red Rocks beyond their already spiritual planes. With five distinct performances painting the masterpiece of 1978, Betty Cantor-Jackson's always-pristine soundboard recordings, and the "hall-of-fame pedigree" of the Dead's first-ever shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, this is one release that far exceeds excellence in music, sound quality, and rarity.

    Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS includes Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78) - all of the performances in this collection are drawn from the band’s master soundboard recordings, each newly mastered by Jeffrey Norman. The set also features original artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope (D.C. and Marvel comics) and in-depth liner notes written by Nick Meriwether (Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz), as well as a producer’s note from producer David Lemieux.

    Due May 13th, we anticipate that this extraordinary box will sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here.

    Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • hbob1995
    Joined:
    E'72 Sale (Final?)
    I have a feeling that this might very well be your last chance to get these shows through Dead.net. Why else would they discount them 25? Of the 22 shows in the box, yesterday 13 were still available. Today that number is down to 11. If you don't have any of the ones still available, maybe you should not hesitate any longer? Rock on
  • Sun King
    Joined:
    ABB, Rush, guitar players, other American Bands, etc....
    Funny, when you don't get on this discussion page daily, a lot of cool things are discussed, but like 3 days ago. I want to comment! So, a few things.... Someone talked about guitar players, and Townsend on stage with Jerry. The whole thing with 'blowing someone off the stage' is the competition mindset that I don't think Jerry had much of. Jerry knew how good he was, (and his band) he didn't need to scream it at the top of his lungs. I don't think Jerry ever would try to embarrass another musician on stage with him. Pete is the only person I ever read that Jerry used the term 'genius' for. I can't see Pete trying to show up Jerry and more than I can see Jerry trying to show up Pete, or any other musician for that matter. As for the ABB, as someone else said, they are so frickin' jealous of the Dead's success! 1st, their brand new cd, which is awesome!, looks JUST LIKE the first Dick's Picks. Weird. 2nd, in their liner notes, the guy writing them, who must work for them and edits a magazine or newsletter named 'Hittin' the Note(?)" says so much stuff that just sounds like he's comparing the ABB to the Dead. So without using the name 'Grateful Dead' he says the ABB are the most improvisational band in the land, how, though they had settled on a set setlist, never played the same song the same way twice, recognized as the 'best live act in the country', the ABB was 'unique in its sound and approach to music', a bassist who 'played like a 3rd lead guitarist', they were greater than the sum of its parts, redefined the term "improvisational", you get the point. Look, I love the ABB as much as anyone, and Duane was uniquely special, but come on guys...give it a rest!!!! Why they feel the need to knock the Dead all the time is beyond me. Jeez, I saw a Beacon show one year (with Betts still in the band) and during the show they showed images of Hendrix, Jerry!, and the of course Duane. As for Rush, they were one of my brothers favs, so I saw them on the 2112 tour and Farewell to Kings tour. My brother loved Yes, so I saw them, too. Never got that into Rush, though I did like those albums. My favorite song, though, is I Think I'm Going Bald! (2nd album?) There was a recent doc about Rush, and when they 1st toured the states they were the opening band for Kiss! The Kiss guys watched out for them. Kiss would like tuck the Rush boys in bed after the show and then the Kiss guys partied!!! But Rush said what they learned touring with Kiss was that you HAD to bring your A-game every night. So, other American bands I listen to? NRBQ, who are still out there with Terry, but I hear are playing just awesome shows. How can any deadhead not love the Radiators???? And I think if you haven't listened to the 3 Big Star records, you are missing out on something truly special and unique....
  • Ken Goodman
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    While We're Off The Subject
    Lots of folks love the JGB gospel cover: "I'll Be With Thee." The woman who sang it originally is (for me) a recent & radiant discovery...the amazing Dorothy Love Coates. While her "best of" CD is packed with so-called "hits," it's another CD, of alternate takes & previously unreleased tracks, entitled "Get On Board," that's the true treasure. My God, this woman's raw vocal approach is so authentically stirring; and I'm not even Christian...it doesn't matter! I hate to use the overused cliche "jaw dropping," but her songs are overflowing with jaw-dropping, eye-bulging moments of raw uplifting power. No doubt Jerry knew of this, since the JGB covered "I'll Be With Thee."
  • Dogon
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Rush, dire et al
    Cant understand the love for Dire S, saw them often at the Hope and Anchor, Islington back in the day, an Ok pub rock band, but thats about it. Been following all the fave band contributions, but what about now? Well heres a suggestion, HAZMAT MODINE!!!Any love? And if not, why not? Check them out. Public Service Announcement.
  • deadegad
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Tough Pills.
    E72 is great but the learning curve involved for Dead.net was steep and hence E72 was under-delivered. Still it is great but the underestimation of the required time did indeed result it less than the perfect amount of time and devotion given to the mixes. The cd sleeves needed a more solid and costlier prototype and some of the 'trinkets' were not there. Bottom Line: E72 is still great and the cost per disc was still a bargain. I do prefer the smaller boxes like the forthcoming July 78 over the 30 Trips. My 2 cents. Come on Spring Time already!! Cold morning up here in the North East of The Americas.
  • LoveJerry
    Joined:
    Rush
    Still a great band. True, the albums through Signals were their best, but they still continued to make decent albums with a few great songs on them, and every few albums would have mostly great songs on them, especially their last few. And despite not selling multi-millions of records post-Signals, their albums all sold gold, and some platinum. They also continued to sell out arenas every album and tour they did, and there many since Signals (13 I believe). Compared to other bands who survived the 70s, I think this is an almost unparalleled accomplishment. Other bands have had the touring success, but not the volume and success of the studio LPs. They also experienced a resurgence in mainstream popularity the last 10 years, which culminated in their selection for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
  • direwulf
    Joined:
    Library of Congress
    The recording of Cornell '77 in the library of Congress was deemed so important that the govt used an audience and/other soundboard sourced tape for the federal archive, I can go look up the actual lineage if anyone is really cares. I saw this a few years ago in an article about the Betty tapes, I believe. So it is not a master copy from the reels but a higher quality tape than most that circulate. I have a copy of what I believe was used for the LOC if anyone would like a copy, I pulled it from Archive.org before they shut down the downloads and backdoors. The tape is thick sounding, mixed we'll and quality throughout with no hiss, even the audience is audible but not overbearing like some audience tapes. Whenever I play it for people most are baffled as to why this recording of the show is heads above what they have heard from Cornell before. The first song, as is typical, starts out sounding a little more hollow and may be a patch from an earlier less quality tape. Cheers! Edit: oops I guess I should scroll down more before tackling a question Minas already provided the link to Blairs explanation, cheers again!
  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    E72 Dark Star & overdubs, Butch Trucks & ABB, Rush, Dire Straits
    Thought I would comment, but will have to watch what I say, sometimes it's easy to say what really went down, but wouldn't want the safety Nazis to get offended and turn me in...lol. I totally agree, E72 is the best release that the ptb and Rhino have released to this date, the dark stars and the other ones from this tour are the best of the best. My favorite dark star is of course 5-4, Paris, what a fantastic piece of orchestration, done on the fly, by the best bunch of improve artist ever. Don't get me wrong, they are all great, the best, but this one is special. This dark star will take you there and back again like no other, simply gorgeous and fantastic and trippy, all at once. The overdub thing is kind of a silly argument, it's what it is, can't change it, wish it wasn't so but there you have it, they wanted perfection "just exactly perfect" comes to mind, so they dubbed, so what, it's all still the greatest show on earth. Butch Trucks and the ABB, what can you say, these guys were so jealous of the Dead it is almost pathetic, they wish there following was as loyal and dedicated as we were to the boys, they are also so pissed off that they did not record all their shows, so add the green with envy color to them for not having the forethought to do it, even after they knew the dead were doing it, too bad, I would have loved to have some of those shows with Duane to listen to now, but they were not recorded. As far as Trucks' opinion, he definitely did not listen to the dead or understand the beauty or "get it" in anyway, just a drummers opinion which, according to Billy's book, didn't hold a lot of weight. Rush was, I repeat, was a great band, their 2112 lp was the best thing they ever did, Ticket to Bangkok was an anthem to all us heads back in the day. Saw them several times, for a three man band, they were the best thing going in the early seventies, for a three man band. Dire Straits, loved Mark Knoffler, saw them several times in the seventies, loved his style, loved the band, even though they had a hard time keeping up with him. I have a story that is true, please, the names have been changed to protect us all... A close friend knew Mark and was in communication with him in 78 when they were coming over to the US for a show, they had never been here before and they were a bit weary of the US audience and how they would be received, my friend said "we will make you feel right at home, don't worry, you guys are great" so over they came, played a great tour and at the end, at a show in Florida, my friend and I were invited to attend with full backstage admittance. It was fabulous, we were treated like one of the band and all due to my friend who had turned the guys onto a real treat...I can't mention it here but they were all familiar with the European version of it but not the US version, they loved it, simply loved it and played such a frenzied and laid back show that night, all due to the party favors supplied by my friend. That's how the seventies were, real comrades, real good times, will never be another decade like it.
  • rdevil
    Joined:
    4-8-72
    Yes, I listened to 4-8-72 tonight, too. It's been awhile but, man, it's an all time favorite. Top 10 Dark Star for sure, almost certainly a top five. But it's more than that, a great show from start to finish. The energy from this era is just incredible and, while I'm not opposed to 80s shows, it's obvious why there are so many releases from 72. More fall 72 would be just fine with me, but more fall '73 (post-horns, obviously) is way overdue for the box set treatment.
  • bolo24
    Joined:
    Yet another reason San Francisco is a cool place
    http://m.sfgate.com/news/article/SFO-grateful-dead-7222686.php
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months

July 1978: The Complete Recordings

What's Inside:

• Five Complete Shows on 12 discs
• 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO
• 7/3/78 St. Paul Civic Center Arena: St. Paul, MN
• 7/5/78 Omaha Civic Auditorium: Omaha, NE
• 7/7/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
• 7/8/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
Artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope
Intro and show-by-show liner notes by Nicholas Meriwether
Producer's Note by David Lemieux
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
Release Date: May 13, 2016

Announcing July 1978: The Complete Recordings

We’re pleased to announce JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, five incredible unreleased shows and the first official release from the long-lost tapes, recently returned to the Grateful Dead’s vault. Follow the Dead on a sonic journey through a superb selection of settings, an often epic adventure that finds them winning over Willie and Waylon fans in Kansas City, conjuring charisma in Omaha, and elevating the Red Rocks beyond their already spiritual planes. With five distinct performances painting the masterpiece of 1978, Betty Cantor-Jackson's always-pristine soundboard recordings, and the "hall-of-fame pedigree" of the Dead's first-ever shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, this is one release that far exceeds excellence in music, sound quality, and rarity.

Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS includes Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78) - all of the performances in this collection are drawn from the band’s master soundboard recordings, each newly mastered by Jeffrey Norman. The set also features original artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope (D.C. and Marvel comics) and in-depth liner notes written by Nick Meriwether (Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz), as well as a producer’s note from producer David Lemieux.

Due May 13th, we anticipate that this extraordinary box will sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here.

Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

it is now toast. Or toasted spam. Or something.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Wow!! Thanks for the update!! Wish him well and hope he has time for this stuff again soon!!
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Anti-dentite conspiracy theories aside, it's authoritatively rumoured that Slippery Rock is experiencing a rare and somewhat confusing aural-oral epidemic of unprecedented scope as deadheads grind their enamel to sand in anxious anticipation of the pending June '74 box coronation. https://www.ehealthscores.com/providers/izd-lllpqpllpt/DAVID-DURYEA.html There's little left to excite the imagination at this point, but the Everest of apexes in a 30-year history that reads like an active EKG is surely one. Q: How do you like yer Dead? A: Jai Alai like it jazzy, seastoned, and infested with electronic spiders!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

6/74 Box??? How cool!!! Our David might keep busy in the months of anticipation until its arrival!!
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

I was in the early draw and received email notice of assigned tickets on 5/30. Hampton, Nashville, and Vegas comprise an intriguing triptik. Quite excited about Nashville, as I've never been; plus, I plan to couple that excursion with my initial visit to Memphis - from which I anticipate a long desired day trip to the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale/MS! Any recommendations regarding favoured eateries or must-see stuff anywhere along the way appreciated... V, hope your bid for tix went well today. Go Caps. #8
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Sadly, the Caps never performed with this degree of success when I was on loan to DC from New Haven during my law school internships. Still...my joy now exercises long-arm jurisdiction! Rather like the Summer & Fall '91 tours when Heads must have asked themselves, "Could this really be happening?". Of course, I was in first grade, so the question was a matter of rhetorical - and highly irrelevant - inquisition to my existence at the time. Go Caps. #8 I still miss The Eleven.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

Kate,While in Memphis I might suggest visiting Sun Studios, the Stax Museum and Civil Rights Museum...all exceptional. For dinner, catfish at Blues City Café on Beale Street and maybe a band at B.B. Kings across the street for desert. If you are going to Clarksdale for some Delta Blues you might want to look up the Shack Up Inn at the Hopson Plantation. Great blues themed accommodations, located just on the outskirts of Clarksdale. Maybe catch dinner and a band at the Ground Zero Blues Club. My wife and I did a similar trip back in 2006 and had an amazing time. Best wishes for exciting and safe travels. Charlie
user picture

Member for

12 years 10 months
Permalink

I've been eyeing this beautiful box for nearly a year, finally pulled the trigger before they all dried up. My summer listening party is expected to arrive this Friday...can't wait!
user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months
Permalink

Being that you are familiar with the last two shows, I recommend listening in chronological order.
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

...Charlie & those who responded by IM. I've received offers of guided tours and even a poolside guesthouse. As with those of you I met a couple years ago hopscotching across the Midwest with DeadCo & Phish, the generosity and knowledge of our community never fail to amaze! A fruitful period of new music: in addition to the NorPac box, the link just went up on AmazonUS for the Szell Columbia set; Ned's Seastones' rerelease arrived, as did the Cream 67 Detroit broadcast; ordered the Casal/CATS followup, of which I'd heard nothing before stumbling across it here; ordered the entire CAKE catalogue after making initial - and pleasantly astounded - discovery last week; and have the Flaming Lips early release box pending. On a related note, I couldn't resist a ticket to kids-of-Cream (well, two-thirds) in Louisville come November...Baker & Bruce's sons; quite remarkable that each picked up the instruments of their legendary fathers and carved out sustained, respected careers.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

7 years 7 months
Permalink

But the banner above says only 1000 left, just two days after this was posted. So I'm confused.
user picture

Member for

12 years 10 months
Permalink

However, the site just allowed me to put 1404 units into my cart...but not 1405. So who knows really.....
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

http://spiritcats.com/seastones.html Spectacular sound in the now-complete canon of related compositions from the early-mid '70's courtesy this expanded reissue. Phenomenal! My favour tends toward the final handful of tracks that bespeak interstellar transmissions of an alien insect intelligence...the kind of sound that made the Seastones session of Jai Alai 6/23 such a perfect intermission companion piece to that spectacularly bizarre and utterly elite Dead show. http://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1974/6/23-7/seastones On order: Szell Complete Columbia (already said?) and the next edition of Bear's Sonic Journals - ABB Fillmore East '70.
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Though I don't Facebook, I glimpsed the following exchange on the OSF page over the blinder: Jon Chazen Is this the same one released on the dead label in the late 90s? Owsley Stanley Foundation Same shows. Better technology. Mastered from scratch. More material -- in fact, all of the material we could find from all three nights will be available in various formats. So, single disc order canceled in the hopes of a pending box set announcement. Terribly exciting stuff: more Duane!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 2 months
Permalink

Finally ordered this last week and #13,900 just got delivered. Love the packaging!
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

7/1/78 aniversary 40 years ago today. Short but sweet. Thanks Willie for inviting the Dead to your gig in KC.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 2 months
Permalink

I finally pulled the trigger on this box, just over two years after it came out. I think I have the answer as to why it still hasn't sold out. Most of it is just not that great. Of course the 2nd Red Rocks show has been considered a "tentpole" show for many years, and there's something to be said for it. But, like 5/8/77, it was made available as a solo item. For many, that would be good enough. For the rest of us - those who are fanatical enough to at least consider a large box set of multiple shows - I think this box was a bit of an overreach. I know many of you will disagree, having already posted in the thread about the fantastic sound quality, wonderful performances, and uniqueness of the previously unheard shows from 7/1-7/5. I have to say that in my personal opinion, just because something hasn't been released, that doesn't make it release-worthy. Distant, poorly-recorded AUD tapes can be fun to listen to, especially when you can hear some great stuff in them; by contrast, Plangent-processed SBD recordings reveal every wrong note, painful lyrical flub, and off-key harmony vocal...of which, I'm sorry to say, these shows have plenty. Prior to listening to the first couple shows from this, I only allowed myself to listen to some early-80s Brent shows for a few days. I'm mostly a pre-hiatus guy (though I love some of the '77 recordings, too), and I figure that everything from '78 on is exponentially worse each year. But the material I played - from '81-'83 - was actually pretty good, in spite of Jerry's obvious vocal decline. When the box arrived, and I started playing these shows, I was surprised that they weren't better. In fact, they were about the same as - maybe not even as good as - those early 80s shows. Over the past couple days, I've taken a bit of a break from the box. I'm in the middle of the 7/5/78 show. I don't want to prejudice myself more by going back to '72, of course, so I've been checking out some shows on YouTube: 12/28/83 and 12/31/79. I find myself agreeing - for the first time EVER - with the tiny but vocal minority on the Dead.net message boards - that we should start getting more '80s releases. It's not that Brent was so great, or that Donna was so bad. It's that this box has made me reassess the tired 70s vs. 80s argument in favor of more early 80s releases. If this box is the best the Dead got in the post-77 era, well, they were not substantially worse in the 80s...at least on some nights. Now, I'm sure I'll feel better about my purchase as I get toward the end of the box and hear Red Rocks again for the first time in a few years. But for now, I'm finding myself wanting more variety from upcoming releases. And if that means a few more official Altheas and Esaus, well, bring 'em on!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 8 months
Permalink

Mr Heartbreak, I have to take issue with you here. Lets not go to the 80s - the real inventiveness of the Dead is here in the 70s. 78 gets a bad press but the strength of this set is Jerry's vocal delivery. I've rarely heard him so energised. I admit that I skip over Rhythm Devils and I'm not keen on Phil's over funky bass at Arrowhead but The Music Never Stopped and Peggy-O have rarely been bettered. Its the never ending search for the ultimate rift from Jerry that makes this so rewarding. Its not about perfection, its about the search for perfection and the knowledge that it'll never ever be achievable. Even if you get there it won't be good enough. You'll still need to go over the edge to find out where the edge is. Listen again my friend.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 2 months
Permalink

I couldn't disagree more. Jerry doesn't sound energized at all in this entire run. He sounds winded, like he's really struggling - maybe for the first time - with his vocals. Remember, he had laryngitis a few months earlier and had to actually lay out for an entire gig. In July it sounds like he's trying to make up for his struggles vocally by working harder. And the result is almost constant failure. The only really good Jerry vocals in this entire run are maybe a Stella Blue and a Peggy-O. Not exactly something I want to listen to multiple times. As I said in my post, I'm more a pre-hiatus guy, so I'm going back to my comfort zone by picking up a Europe '72 show: 4/26. Originally released in part as Hundred Year Hall, this show has all-timer versions of a bunch of tunes. Hard to believe that was just six short years before this sub-par '78 run. And yes, the Red Rocks shows have some high points, but this box set could be most charitably described as "ragged." Okay, I'm out.
user picture

Member for

6 years 11 months
Permalink

But this box set disappointed me. And I'm as hardcore a 78 guy as there is. Similar to what Mr Heartbreak said, and I've heard others make similar observations (a couple of the guys who post regularly, and I don't remember who) In the 1978 July box set, I hear this compared to the exact same songs in the 1977 shows or even January - April 1978: * instrumentally, way more missed notes * harmony vocals, a lot of disharmony in the harmony vocals. people coming into the chorus unevenly, and out of harmony * instrumentally a lot more transition misses from one guy or another * lead vocals, a lot more uneven singing of the verses (by uneven, I mean singing ahead of or behind the melody) * the mix - the vocals do not blend in with the instrumentation as smoothly, instead, the vocals sound a lot louder than the instruments to me in many songs. Anyway, when you factor in a little bit of all of those things I commented about, it adds up to a lot of distractions when I listen to these shows. I had been looking forward to some hot Music Never Stopped and Terrapin Stations, since they developed some parts a little bit more in '78 but they didn't quite get there smoothly. If I had nothing to compare these shows to, I probably would thing they were outstanding, but compared to Jan - April '78 and '77, they're not quite as good to my humble ears. tombstone, I agree with your sentiment, but Limited Edition and ebay is what keeps this machine rolling. Rhino (as they should) is going with the business plan that makes them the most money. To have a never ending supply of over 300 releases is a one-way boat ride to a large ice berg of a business plan. these vault releases are not like major releases. only the hardcore want 22 shows from europe 72. only the hardcore would tolerate the 1974 wall of sound recording quality (or 80s cassette tape recording quality). we are an esoteric crowd. they need to feed us fast and move on to the next thing quickly. they need the money up front (subscription) and they reinvest it back into the machine. ebay? well, if I have to move 18,000 widgets every quarter, and 1000 customers want 10 each, so be it. this will allow me to have the front money to continue to produce for not just the 1000 buying 10 each, but the remaining 8000 buying 1 each. And to be fair, Rhino has been systematically increasing the production numbers each year or two. I truly believe Pinkus and Lemieux are as seasoned as Dead Heads come, and they want to keep the lights on as long as possible, so they're going with the plan that not only keeps them in business, but which is fair to everyone. subscriptions never sell out quickly, everyone has their opportunity to get one, and 99 bucks a year is not asking too much by any reasonable standard, since we're getting 13 discs (works out to .13 cents a disc). AND the merchandise appreciates over time. What other product does that? Not my f***ing car! Sorry I screwed up the math, it works out to 7.62 a disc. That's pretty good brother. or like vguy says 27 cents a day. give the guys a little love, they have figured out a golden cheap plan for us to revel in this addiction for the foreseeable future.
user picture

Member for

13 years 2 months
Permalink

Guess I'm just bat shit crazy. My sweet spot is also 67-74, but I don't compare this to those years as it's a different beast altogether. I take it for what it is, and it's fresh, loaded with energy and fun. Once or twice a year I go to a few of the shows in this box, and rarely Red Rocks. I have already listened to those to death. Arrowhead and Omaha get hit a lot. So call me crazy.
user picture

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Looks like 1111 left. Give or take.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years
Permalink

This has probably been covered somewhere within the 76 page sof comments I don't have time to read, but how does this 7/8 differ from this one? https://www.amazon.com/Red-Rocks-Amphitheatre-Morrison-CO/dp/B01E1I9M9Q… All I saw was that the box set version was "remastered," but can anyone hear a difference? I ask because I'm thinking of buying a few of these a la carte and don't need a second copy of this show if the differences are negligible (or if there are difference at all)
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

I would doubt there is a difference in sound because 7/8 and the box set were released at the same time. Unless someone could inform otherwise as to sound differences, I'd recommend to just go for the entire box if you can. It's a good package and each show has something to offer. I find myself going back to it pretty often, with 7/3 and 7/5 getting slightly fewer spins.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

The version of 7/8 in the box is exactly the same as the single show available for sale on Amazon and elsewhere. As they usually do for box sets lately, they simply selected one show to sell as an individual product for those not wanting to buy the whole box (just like they did with 3/29/90 and 5/8/77). It is exactly the same mastering and so forth, and usually the same disc packaging.
user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months
Permalink

this is a more shelf friendly package and "better recordings" than the Pacific Northwest Box.if it wasn't for the cool sculptural and excellent design of the new PNW box, i would take this one if i had to chose. it is one of the more shelf friendly box sets (DVD sized) and the graphic novel theme fits well with the shows. while it still is a SBD with vocals, drums high in the mix, Jerry is there and the only real complaints is how well you can hear Bob's public slide practice. i don't know if it's true, but i heard Bob was given a slide, or slide lessons, by Lowell George when they started working on Shakedown St that they recorded right after this tour. anyway, if you don't have it yet, grab it because even though they don't advertise it, in the booklet it does state the Betty reels were Plangent processed, thanks for the info David Duryea.
user picture

Member for

16 years

In reply to by wadeocu

Permalink

Hopefully this excellent will sell out before early July 2019.

user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months

In reply to by Born Cross Eye…

Permalink

Yeah I’m late to the party here, but my order is finally in. I wish it was sooner buy hey, such is life.

As to some of those naysayer comments over the past few months, I always assumed Bobby’s ‘just exactly perfect’ was said with a degree of irony. I prefer believability over perfection. Are they making me feel what they feel? Is something monstrously new coming to life through the music? With a fire at play deep in the bestial belly? The details around the edges don’t contribute much to that domain.

One aspect that played into my decision, which I don’t think has been mentioned here, is the placement of the run between 70’s GD and 80’s GD. A lot of changes occurred in one year’s time and from what I can tell, this is a good testament for the directions soon to be ventured. The early Drums-Space incarnations in particular. And I figure a Normanized Betty Board for those isn't something to miss out on. While not quite the quality as the multi-trak recordings for Spring ’90, probably as good as you’ll get up until that time.

I think you’ll be happy with your purchase.
Toss the CDs in the player, crack open an M-43, kick back, and enjoy.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

You're going to love this box. It is one to play loudly. To me, the sound is much more consistently better than the PacNor box. Plenty of low end and nuance, and the vocals don't ever drop out. Chime in with your thoughts when you get to listening.

P.S. Buses and bikes, dammit!

user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months

In reply to by wilfredtjones

Permalink

These shows have a heck of a lot of charm. Each with plenty of inspired nuggets tucked away... waiting for a close listen... those “A Ha!” moments that cue a listener in as to why they were selected for release.

A few thoughts:

Packaging: High quality material. Absolutely splendid artwork. Really pops to life once you have it in hand (internet photos don’t do it justice). One nice touch is that when the top is off, the sleeves can be repositioned in a number of different ways for the illustrations to create collage-type triptychs. Not unlike panels found in graphic novels. Go figure! Size is also perfect for bookshelving.

Sound: Beefy, as I was expecting from having a copy of the July 8 Red Rock show back in the 90’s. A warmer, lower ended projection than the ‘77 boards, but still with all the crystalline clarity in the highs. One minor critique would be that Drums sounds a bit more distant than I was hoping, but which I assume is because they didn’t have as many mic placements back at that time. Probably a good approximation of what it sounded like live, though.

Playing: A transition period and I would actually recommend the box to 80s fans more so than those of 70s (?). I’m not sure this will make sense to anyone other than myself, but Jerry tucks his solos in-and-about the melodies more. Rather than those long reaching, gracefully soaring lines that extend the music beyond the framework, as he did in the 70's, he keeps it more rhythmic, abstracts it on the inward with a tighter, kinetic, even slightly manic, energy. A for better or worse style held to thereon out, and the band following in kind.

I will say though I found the first set of Omaha a bit rough. Band sounds out of sync at times, like watching your favorite basketball team fall over on itself. The spirit is there, just not the final execution to score the buckets. Perhaps it was from an overfill of beans and bratwurst at the July 4th picnic or improper chilling of the Heineken? Or maybe just my ears? Who knows. I'll give it another shot of course and see if I feel differently then. Could be because I gave a first listen while watching Michigan State University go through a February slump. (Don't we all?) But whatever it was, they got it taken care of over the break because the second set is back on track.

With all said, glad I picked this beauty up. Thanks GD! Thanks Betty! Thanks Dave! Thanks faithful! And go MSU!

user picture

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

Frankly, I'm surprised this box is still available. It is a go to for me frequently. I must also say, I love all the years.

Yes it is rough around the edges, but that is (as is the band) part of it's charm. Jerry is playing a more rockin guitar sound, with a rich, sweet tone, throughout this tour. Betty has worked her magic, I can hear all the instruments balanced well at least for two track. I especially enjoy hearing Kieth's playing.

I love the 1 set show at Willie's Arrowhead show...rockin and cowboy songs, and then a deep dive into psychedelia- awesome set.

I think I'm also into this box because of the two Red Rocks shows, because I love Red Rocks. I have many fond memories at Red Rocks seeing the Dead, but not at these shows. I do remember, though hearing from other friends, that those 78 Red Rocks shows were awesome, and that is what convinced me to travel from California to the 79 Red Rocks shows.

But that wouldn't matter if the music wasn't there, and this box delivers in spades, if you're looking for the more rock'in looser let's shake this place kinda band.

And if you're lookin for a great two track recording of this awesome band during their July five show tour.

Bottom line, if you didn't get this, get it while you can.

user picture

Member for

5 years 7 months
Permalink

So I finally pulled the trigger on the July 78 box set! I was quick to jump on the PNW 73-74 box set,my favorite years are 73 & 77 but I have a special place in my heart for 76 & 78 because I’m always coming away surprised in a wonderful way; like someone said before I love the long extended jams but I love the tight rhythms and rounder beefier sound with 78 as well. Feel free to engage, im super stoked to finally be here among like minded fanatics, lol!

user picture

Member for

6 years 10 months
Permalink

Hey Phil...justa heads up, most of us other fanatics/freaks are consistently on the most recent Dave’s Picks or most recent box set thread...currently Daves 30 until next week!

user picture

Member for

7 years 4 months
Permalink

I picked this one up because it would be a mistake not too. A lot of the guys on this site told me it would be a great idea. Can't wait.

user picture

Member for

7 years 4 months
Permalink

I purchased this box Oct. 26th and been waiting since. I jump around because Dap 32 comment site gets a little boring. I like to fish around the pond to see if there are some other type of fish to fry. Know what I'm saying. I have some money saved up so I'm buying things I need. Socks, underwear, boots, cigars, and box sets. This is my second box after that giants box gem. I love to buy stuff that has nice packaging and extras.

user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months
Permalink

Purchased on 10/22/19 and waiting patiently. What happens if they don't fulfill orders chronologically and this set sells out before I get my copy?

user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months
Permalink

Do I need another version of Supplication with this box set? Yes of course!! That's why I ordered it 7 weeks ago. But the birthday gift could still be a Holiday gift? I would send a PM but don't know how, so message sent through Customer Service. Can't see how a warehouse move would disrupt order fulfillment to this degree, especially now that Dead.net is making promises about Christmas delivery for new orders. I would just forget about the whole thing except that the stand alone Red Rocks 7/8/78 CD on my shelf keeps reminding me...mmmwwwwrrr. On the bright side, listening to DP Volume 8 again. Feedbacking solo on Loser just great.

product sku
081227946883
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/july-1978-the-complete-recordings.html