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July 31, 2024 - 6:48am

754 replies

Dead Admin

Joined:
April 28, 2021

Friend of The Devils: April 1978 (Dead.net Exclusive) [19 CD]

WHAT'S INSIDE:
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL 4/6/78
Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, FL 4/7/78
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL 4/8/78
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/10/78
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/11/78
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC 4/12/78
Cassell Coliseum, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 4/14/78
Huntington Civic Center, Huntington, WV 4/16/78
Recorded By Betty Cantor-Jackson
Newly restored and speed-corrected audio by Plangent Processes
Mastered by Jeffrey Norman
Liners By Author Steve Silberman
Artwork By Acclaimed Artist Matthew Brannon
Limited To 10,000 Individually Numbered Copies
Dead.net Exclusive
It’s been said before but April ‘78 was an incredible month for the Dead. Like May ‘77, you could throw a dart and guarantee you hit a stellar show. - KyloRensPecs, r/gratefuldead, Reddit
.... April/May '78 has a lot of the same qualities of Spring '77 but with some extra edge and a much bigger sound from the Rhythm Devils. A really special era that often gets neglected. - viewtiful_alan, r/gratefuldead, Reddit
Sportatorium - April 7, 1989
when drums started I thought, oh s*#!, i hate drum solos and Billy and Mickey stopped me in my tracks. Wow, these guys are really good. Little did I know the pervasive influence this phenomena would have on my life. - pearlybakerbest, Dead.net
Huntington Civic Centre, West Virginia – 16 April 1978
This is another must-hear concert by The Grateful Dead. The sound and mix are almost ‘absolutely perfect'... It’s difficult to pick out highlights because everything is played so well; the band are tight, Donna is great and the set list is strong. - Grateful Ted, gratefulted.co.uk
We're hitting the bullseye with the eight previously unreleased stellar shows that make up FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978. Filled to the brim with peak performances from the Grateful Dead's post-hiatus period, this collection captures the historic tour where "Drums" begat "Space," morphed into "Drums">"Space" and cemented the Rhythm Devils' second-set power move from the music business to the "transportation business."
Spring 1978 finds the Dead consistently weaving spontaneous magic, showing signs of great promise and potential - from the no-nonsense rock'n'roll in Tampa, where scholars cite the first "Drumz" leading into "Space," to the lengthy communal get down in Pembroke Pines to Jacksonville where the twain emerge fully formed, offering the primordial opportunity for "soul retrieval." It's evident in the dynamic range delivered on back-to-back nights at the intimate Fox Theatre and through the laid-back unity of the band's performance in Durham at Duke, a comfort that carries over to Virginia and West Virginia where the playing is unbridled, bursting with momentum, threatening to carry itself away. And nowhere can you hear that more clearly than through Betty Cantor-Jackson's original recordings, reliably crisp, bright, and vivid.
Individually numbered to 10,000 copies and exclusive to Dead.net, FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978 has been mastered by Audio Engineer Jeffrey Norman using Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Steve Vance designed the collection’s custom box, which features a removable wave drum. (We invite you to unleash your inner Rhythm Devil.) Acclaimed artist Matthew Brannon created the set’s original artwork. The collection also includes a 48-page book with original liner notes by author Steve Silberman and photos by James Anderson, Bob Minkin, and more.

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October 15, 2024 - 1:50pm

#61

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Three things that suck

Vasectomies
Prostate exams
Going through TSA
October 15, 2024 - 10:27am

#62

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Box fatigue

Oro - thanks for that heads up - I might check that out later. Maybe a little more imagination on my behalf as suggested - playing the same song from different shows to hear the changes, or even do a Road Trips style comp. - although I'm a bit too lazy for that.
I also enjoyed the 1st show in the box the best. Maybe listening to 8 shows that follow on, one after the other, is a big ask from any year. Especially one that is more song based like 1978.
I can do it with Europe 72 - but that has the big second set jams. Interesting though drumz is, it's a poor substitute for Dark Star.
October 15, 2024 - 10:07am

#63

Deadheadbrewer

Joined:
February 2, 2010

1967--Joni and Grateful Dead

Sitting here, having my mind melted by the live Joni Mitchell show from the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, recorded October 27th, 1967, before switching to the second show from the Devils box (just getting around to it . . . ). Checking my Deadbase, I see that the Dead played Ann Arbor on August 13th of '67, in a free outdoor afternoon concert. I'm now trying to imagine being back in those days, what with tremendous music being created and performed everywhere, with little money or effort required of the interested.
October 15, 2024 - 10:02am

#64

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

Bare Bones

I looked at that when the email came in this morning and I'm waffling on this one. Looking at the listing there are a lot of alternate takes and versions of songs I may already have in my extensive G & G collection which I started buying when DG started Acoustic Disc. Maybe I'll wait for a sale, yeah that's it! I can always justify buying something when it's on sale. This site is like a support group for addicted buyers, lol, only we aren't looking to be cured.

DR - Me too, done 4 of the 8 shows and taking a break. 1st one was the best so far IMO.
Cheers
October 15, 2024 - 9:41am

#65

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Garcia/Grisman Bare Bones Vol 1....

....up for preorder at Garcia Family Provisions.
October 15, 2024 - 8:21am

#66

rasta5ziggy

Joined:
November 27, 2017

daverock

I know what you mean by your latest post. My first-ever boxset purchase was HCSS, because I love '73, and also love '78. The main thing that I noticed is the repetition of the tunes, on both of these boxes, which is why I lean more toward enjoying the individual DaP releases more, which allows for a wider range of playing/era differences. What I have been doing on the FOTD box is comparing the same tune played on different dates and listening to them one after the other. That makes for fun listening, as then I can hear the real differences from show-to-show. It also helps to play the wave drum while listening to get a complete vibe, but it must be played loudly.
October 15, 2024 - 6:56am

#67

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Birchwood

on my screen in the top right corner is a down pointer, click that and one option is "message"
October 14, 2024 - 8:00pm

#68

RyXs

Joined:
February 10, 2021

Chop~Show Crazy!

First off thank you to Orobo.... for the video reference to check out. I love to see the light sometimes versus just hearing it! Also I think this box was a lot to consume at once {8 shows} and especially for those that listen to the Dead show to show.
{Call me sacrilegious for this}
Me personally, after ripping the CDs to my iTunes and officially logging it down in proper order to a section of Dead show playlists I start cutting it up to pieces. I add them to other playlists with various themes and sometimes make complete new ones.

For this Big Debels box I made a special section just for it! One playlist is just the "Rhythm Devils" songs from all shows woven together with their corresponding surrounding tunes. On another I separated the 3 Florida, 2 Georgia, 3 college shows {Dave#37 included}, and the WV show with Pittsburg extras{Daves#37} and then mixed together all the first set music from the bunches of shows and wove them together like one great big set list. Sort of like my own personal "ROAD TRIPS" series. I also did the same bit for the second sets, though them playlists are many more hours longer. I get kinda crazy with the making of these playlists on my computer, and probably have thousands of them.
Kinda hella crazy is more accurate! Though it's one way I never tire of all this Dead.

{{{reEdited the titled more appropriately}}}
October 14, 2024 - 5:02pm

#69

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

RE Tired

Daverock, may I suggest watching the black and white video from 4/12 on the toob of you….it really helped me better understand just how inspired they where this tour. I too had to grow into this one a bit, and think the real meat is on the 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16th. I can totally understand taking a time out as it can get repetitive etc All Good Things in all good time…
October 14, 2024 - 3:09pm

#70

billy the kiddd

Joined:
November 8, 2021

Terrapin & West L.A. Fade Away.....

played at commercial break of Mets\Dodgers playoff game. What could be next? Cosmic Charlie?

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

Friend of The Devils: April 1978 (Dead.net Exclusive) [19 CD]

WHAT'S INSIDE:
Curtis Hixon Convention Hall, Tampa, FL 4/6/78
Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, FL 4/7/78
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL 4/8/78
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/10/78
Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA 4/11/78
Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC 4/12/78
Cassell Coliseum, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA 4/14/78
Huntington Civic Center, Huntington, WV 4/16/78

Recorded By Betty Cantor-Jackson
Newly restored and speed-corrected audio by Plangent Processes
Mastered by Jeffrey Norman
Liners By Author Steve Silberman
Artwork By Acclaimed Artist Matthew Brannon

Limited To 10,000 Individually Numbered Copies
Dead.net Exclusive

It’s been said before but April ‘78 was an incredible month for the Dead. Like May ‘77, you could throw a dart and guarantee you hit a stellar show. - KyloRensPecs, r/gratefuldead, Reddit

.... April/May '78 has a lot of the same qualities of Spring '77 but with some extra edge and a much bigger sound from the Rhythm Devils. A really special era that often gets neglected. - viewtiful_alan, r/gratefuldead, Reddit

Sportatorium - April 7, 1989

when drums started I thought, oh s*#!, i hate drum solos and Billy and Mickey stopped me in my tracks. Wow, these guys are really good. Little did I know the pervasive influence this phenomena would have on my life. - pearlybakerbest, Dead.net

Huntington Civic Centre, West Virginia – 16 April 1978

This is another must-hear concert by The Grateful Dead. The sound and mix are almost ‘absolutely perfect'... It’s difficult to pick out highlights because everything is played so well; the band are tight, Donna is great and the set list is strong. - Grateful Ted, gratefulted.co.uk

We're hitting the bullseye with the eight previously unreleased stellar shows that make up FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978. Filled to the brim with peak performances from the Grateful Dead's post-hiatus period, this collection captures the historic tour where "Drums" begat "Space," morphed into "Drums">"Space" and cemented the Rhythm Devils' second-set power move from the music business to the "transportation business."

Spring 1978 finds the Dead consistently weaving spontaneous magic, showing signs of great promise and potential - from the no-nonsense rock'n'roll in Tampa, where scholars cite the first "Drumz" leading into "Space," to the lengthy communal get down in Pembroke Pines to Jacksonville where the twain emerge fully formed, offering the primordial opportunity for "soul retrieval." It's evident in the dynamic range delivered on back-to-back nights at the intimate Fox Theatre and through the laid-back unity of the band's performance in Durham at Duke, a comfort that carries over to Virginia and West Virginia where the playing is unbridled, bursting with momentum, threatening to carry itself away. And nowhere can you hear that more clearly than through Betty Cantor-Jackson's original recordings, reliably crisp, bright, and vivid.

Individually numbered to 10,000 copies and exclusive to Dead.net, FRIEND OF THE DEVILS: APRIL 1978 has been mastered by Audio Engineer Jeffrey Norman using Plangent Processes tape restoration and speed correction. Steve Vance designed the collection’s custom box, which features a removable wave drum. (We invite you to unleash your inner Rhythm Devil.) Acclaimed artist Matthew Brannon created the set’s original artwork. The collection also includes a 48-page book with original liner notes by author Steve Silberman and photos by James Anderson, Bob Minkin, and more.

4/18/78..

Wonder when we will get the missing 1 set tracks from Pittsburgh.. but this is nice - at some point this box was bound to come out..

Fresh Ice To Skate On

Box ordered.
Promo codes from slot machine thing still valid through today!
Seaside chat listened to.
An hour of listening party awaits.
Love 1978 Dead.
Cheers

Hmm

Nice

At first I cringed at the title for political reasons

Then I drank some coffee and realized it was a reference to the Rhythm Devils

Whew

Thank you ddn

Old man reminiscing warning:

I remember getting several of these on cassette in the late 80s and being floored by the sound quality

No complaints (yet) about

being too close to 1977?

Or being 70s in general?

Or too close to the Daves from 4 22 and 24?

Or too close to the July 78 box?

Cool

No complaining, my fellow Deadheads and all. Please.

Yo Craig

4 8 78

I miss you bro

Spring 1978

Nice box! Of course I've heard that this tour is spotty, with some shows being not amazing. Looking forward to checking it out.

I know Keith was beginning to get himself in too deep on stuff, and he and Donna started to unwind. Not sure if that started in early '78 or later in '78... but I wonder if you can begin to hear this in the shows.

But this is great. I've had a few of these forever, and the shows generally have great energy, and Donna was prominent and more in-tune..... Thanks Dave and team.

Ordered

Bring on the Plangentized/Normanized Betty’s.

20% off?....

....don't mind if I do!

Thanks, 1stShow, I had…

Thanks, 1stShow, I had forgotten about the slot machine discount code -- you saved me $40!

BTW, my first attempt to order failed using Google Chrome (this happened to me on dead.net many moons ago -- I am surprised there are still issues with Chrome).

I was able to order using Firebox.

'78

I've never liked 78 that much, kind of a poor man's 77. If you read Phil's book too Jerry had serious complaints about Keith's playin'. Looking forward to having my mind changed

Slot Machine

Code didn't work for me. Tried a few times. Oh well, my paranoia of missing out made me order right away.

LET'S DO THIS

PLAY DEAD
PLAY DEAD LOUD
TODAY IS A GRATE DAY

Another box set tonight

Eating was always overrated and I could do with losing some weight. Selling internal organs isn’t allowed in the UK :))

Great

I caught the Nashville 4-22-78 DP release that spring and away I went! Still have the tix stub! Ready for this BOX Baby!

To paraphrase Chaucer

Whan that Aprille with these shows soote

:)))

1978

Have always liked this year, though between the July box set, Dick's Picks 18 and 25, and Dave's Picks 7, 15, 23 and 37, the first half of the year plus a week already seemed pretty well represented. Those must have sold well, and with all those available only on the pricey secondary market, this should too. Giving the people what they want is OK by me.

But! If they'd asked me, which mysteriously they didn't, I'd have lobbied for the From Egypt With Love run at Winterland in October, even though it was cannibalized for a Road Trips. I guess it never shall be.

Pretty stoked about this box…

Pretty stoked about this box. I’m particularly happy that the promo code I got from that slot machine thing a while back ended up knocking $40 off the price. Good times and I’m looking forward to the end of September.

EDIT: I just took a second look at the promo code I got and the expiration date on it is today: July 31, 2024. So, if you got a promo code, use it or lose it!

No axe :(

Colin and his organs

>>Selling internal organs isn’t allowed in the UK :))

Can you loan them?

Internal Organs

I can give them away.

I bought it sight unseen

I don't yet know the shows or the quantity they are releasing. I haven't even grokked the release date. But 19 CDs for $200? Yes, please! Only an early bird order of a Dave's subscription can compete with that value.

I am lucky that I am still off work this week because now it's time for a second cup of coffee (to think that in my dotage that now qualifies as hedonism... oh, to be young again) and a morning spent with Monsieur Lemieux and his Seaside Chat. Not to mention actually perusing the product page.

My slot machine discount code was for free shipping, but the form wouldn't take it ("not applied" in red text) but I used a birthday code for 20% off, and that worked. I thought I had already used that code, but for all the "hey now" time I've lost this year and last, that seems a fair recompense.

All in and ordered ! 😀🐉🌹

Nice selection of great shows. I like the Huntington WV show glad it’s included. That just leaves the rest of Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Lexington (minus Stella from So Many Roads) from this tour. Unworthy, damaged, or we’ll see them down the road?

Thank You, Powers That Be

Spring '78 is very dear to me, and the Duke show has, well, special meaning, to say the least.

Fffffffuuuuudddddgggggeeeee Yeah!

Only I didn’t say fudge!
This tour ROCKS!
AND, can you say beautiful, bouncing, banner, brain candy, bodacious, braggadocios, big, bold, beatific, BEST Betty boards!

I was clueless about this tour until ole Dave gave us the stellar number 37 from 4/15/78. Now it’s a fav…
Now, poppas got a brand new bag, and it’s getting filled with spring 78 goodness! So totally psyched to do this whole tour in order etc.

First 2 are good, but not top dogs, haven’t heard the third yet, Fox shows kick ass and are probably the alpha pair, especially the 11. Next 2 are really good, but maybe not as good as Fox, and 4/16 is just as good. A really solid tour all the way, and did I mention Betty? Lol Cause this is Betty bringing it!
And 8 shows, now that’s more like it! Good job team Dead net!
Just wonder about the glue ; ) JK ; )

Order Is In

I'm super excited about this one. This will pair nicely with the excellent Dave's 37 release. I seem to remember the 2 Atlanta shows and the WV as being stellar when I listened on the archive a few years ago. Not missing out on this one.

Peace

Now I get to hear Duke in all its glory!

Psyched to refresh my cassette copy of Hunington WV with the 20% coupon opted for the cd boxset and Duke vinyl!

4/19/78

The cut off just missed this show and the Werewolves of London breakout. There should have been at least one Werewolves included in the set.

Right on

Should be pretty cool. Dave's Picks 51 arrived Monday. Busy week in Dead world.

4/12/1978

Did you ever think you would see Jerry on drums!!!

"You see the hut, yet you ask where should I go for shelter."

Love me a box set

Ordered instantly, birthday discount code worked for me, so a very happy deadhead here. DP51 still spinning and it's sunny for the second day in a row. DP37 up next. Life is good.

Yessir!

Ordered. And Dave’s 51 should be here soon. What a great day!

I was at Pembroke Pines and Jacksonville

Instant purchase. I was a little kid, 9 years old, and my cousin took me to both shows. All I remember was it was the loudest thing I ever heard and all the crazy funny people. It was years later, before I became a Deadhead, that I was told that these shows were the Grateful Dead. No musical memories, but I had fun, I think. We lived near the Hollywood Sportatorium, and used to spend some summers in Jacksonville. Now we got three Florida Dead shows in this box. I heard that Tucker Carlson was at one of the Fox shows and a Florida show. Small world.

Spring 78

Gotta admitt, was really hoping for a Wall of Sound box set, but will def take Spring 78!

*RE/ 2024 Boxset 1978

I’m truly grateful & excited for this year’s boxset! I’m a big fan of 1978. The band is very tight and explosive during this spring tour, very much like May 1977 as mentioned in the release announcement but with a little more power/punch in your face & ears! The “ icing on the cake” is it’s all Betty! Primo! Man, I’m so grateful for all the work Betty did while working for the Grateful Dead family/organization! Now, after Norman’s primo work & the plangent processing , we the fans will hear Spring 78’ in all its glory & power the Dead was at this point in their career & performances of 1978! The setlists have me drooling!!! All 8 shows contain some of the best music the band ever created. We deadheads are so lucky! Long live the good Ol’ Grateful Dead! Rock on my brothers and sisters! Peace be with you all!

BDAY24DEAD and CC24WMX15 are…

BDAY24DEAD and CC24WMX15 are promo codes that work today. Got it for total 169.67 1 hrs. ago.

Duke! Must see film of show if you haven't.

Stoked 4, '78

I don't own Dave's #7 or #15, but this Box will go well with #37. Admittedly I was wrong in my 2024 Box speculations but very happily so! April 1978 Dead I have come to learn is a pinnacle month for the year, like May is to 1977. Since finally subscribing years ago I've come to know quite a bit from Dave's chats and the subsequent Dead releases. Donna is indeed at her apex! Outside her contributions to =JGB= she never sounded so angelic, her harmonies on Mississippi Half Step as a prime example {I wish they did "Greatest Story" in this mini era within an era} but anyways. Keith is still sharp and distinct, though not as phenomenal as he was only a few years prior. Also some 1977 Terrapin songs like "Passenger" sound more fuller and free wheeling in 1978, almost over the edge. "Deal" gets more first set finalle~ish too around this time. I remember Dave's chat from Volume #37 and the significance of the birth of "Rhythm Devils" so if this Box comes with a mini drum I am down to jam! I just need a little more time to get the pre~order money together, it's Shakedown Street for me babaaaaay!

Duke show video

I checked out US Blues just now

I can NOT believe how energetic and animated Jerry is

Shazam!

Duke

Got so many sources of this show? Aud, sbd, mtx, dts,, dvd files, bluray files(with choice of audio source), now the official release!

US Blues encore at Duke

Proudfoot, I didn't even know this Duke '78 video existed.

I just pulled up the US Blues encore you mentioned and... wow! Jerry seems like he's channeling Keith Moon or John Belushi with animated facial expressions, bouncing around the stage, almost windmilling once or twice, waving his arms around, and being as physical onstage as I have ever seen him. The whole band is on fire.

I can't wait to get this release.

I've always loosely characterized '76-'78 as "the train starting up" ('76), "The train at cruising speed" ('77), and the train going with such abandon it risks falling off the rails ('78). Duke's U.S. Blues is a perfect example.

codes didn't work?

Try again using another email. Cause if you used these codes before, they are tied to that email and may not work.

Code

@wharfrat6969 you're a lifesaver! this box, Neil Young box, honeymoon in 3 weeks, and a baby at the end of the year, I need every savings I can get! Thanks a bunch! Excited for all these wonderful music!!!

Spring 78'

"I took the mission. What the hell else was I gonna do"

Dave thanks for a healthy run of shows!

Soundbite

I'd never heard April 1978 described as having similar qualities to May 1977 before this release. A highly dubious connection. I have got my order in, despite the hype.

Days Between

Email sent

Daverock

May 77 and April 78 are different beasts imho

You made a good choice anyway by ordering

You'll like the shows

Both codes worked

listed below and supplied by the ever-gracious Whartrat6969. Total for box 168.49 includes shipping and taxes. Excelsior!!!

PF

Yes, it's beginning to look as though Deadnet have got Spring 1977 tattooed on the brain !

Been Waiting

...for the Huntington WV show to get released one day and BAM!
Here you go, along with a plethora of other fantastic goodies.

Really looking forward to this one; great choice.
The 'nearly off the rails' feeling is a fun one. Hold on tight.

Be Well People!
Sixtus

4-12-78 video

I got it on DVD-R about 10 years ago or so, got it on BD-R a year or so ago.
Probably should watch it this weekend.

In the seaside chat Dave seems to imply that at least some of the show will be uploaded to the YouTube channel.
Wonder if it’s being cleaned up for MUATM.

Decided not to wait

4-12-78 BD-R spinning now.
It’s the Brokedown House Productions version.

Curious to see how well this could be cleaned up.

product sku

081227816759

Product Magento URL

https://store.dead.net/en/grateful-dead/special-collections/friend-of-the-devils/friend-of-the-devils-april-1978-dead.net-exclusive-%5B19-cd%5D/081227816759.html