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July 31, 2024 - 6:48am

736 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 31, 2024 - 4:55pm

#11

billy the kiddd

Joined:
November 8, 2021

Anniversary show 10/31/94. Rolling Stones

30 years ago I was up in Oakland to see the Rolling Stones play on their Voodo Lounge tour. They opened the show with Not Fade Away.
October 31, 2024 - 3:23pm

#12

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Back to the Box

I also decided to pick up where I'd left off - which was 4/11. Good show - especially the first set and the Scarlet-Fire. Drums is now 22 minutes, though, which dissipates the energy a bit for the last cd.

Bit dischuffed that neither the 1st or the 3rd cd would play on my hi fi. But they played okay on my portable cd player, so I am hoping that now they have been played through once they will work on the main one. Maybe I'll do copies of them, and see if they work any better
October 31, 2024 - 11:02am

#13

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

Back To The Box

Finally getting to Duke and having a great time in 1978. The dynamics of this year are so noticeable. The quiet parts are quieter and the loud parts are louder! Almost like they have that group mind thing down pat. Or like there is a master volume control that keeps everyone in balance. So good. The sound quality of this box is superb.
Cheers
October 26, 2024 - 9:25am

#14

Chuck

Joined:
June 4, 2007

PHIL LESH

DOINGTHENEEDFUL

You are correct To me Phil is as much responsible for the "Grateful Dead" as Jerry
October 26, 2024 - 5:09am

#15

Darkstar BGE

Joined:
November 19, 2016

Friends of the Devil, comfort in the loss

Like many, I work long grueling hours. Toward the end of the Day, I learned Phil had passed. I finished the day stunned. With no thought, I loaded a Binghamton Show into my car cd player (yup, I still have one). That helped me sort things out on my 1/2-hour drive.
Once home, I went first to my beer fridge and grabbed a choice IPA and chilled glass and headed straight to my living room for my "Friends of the Devil" box. I could almost say I own too much Dead, but I didn't have to give it much thought as to what I wanted to hear. I own the majority of the Dead boxes; I have to say this has been one of my favorites. I have been taking my time and savoring the shows. In truth, I've worked through about 75% of this one. I'm usually a methodical listener. Not last night, I just randomly grabbed 4.16.78 and loaded it into the changer. As I sat and listened, texts poured in from friends, knowing I had to be home mourning. 4.16.78 was a joy, it reaffirmed all that Phil and the Dead were and perpetually are. It was like an IV drip; it brought me back to my center. I couldn't ask for a better life support system. Dave and company, thanks for this box. The doctor doesn't make house calls anymore, but if you are feeling loss right now, take one Dead show and call me in the morning! (Thanks for having been in the world Phil!)
P.S. I had trashed the box artwork before this box arrived, it really quite ingenious.
October 25, 2024 - 6:46pm

#16

Doingtheneedful

Joined:
June 11, 2007

Salisbury range is quiet tonight. The big BOMBS are resting...

As I sit down to start the onerous task of shredding Friend of the Devils CD's to add to my "cloud" library, I see the news that Phil has laid his last bomb on this plain. I'm staring out of my den window into the dark, Salisbury Live Fire Range well within earshot, quiet tonight, and I chuckle at the irony.

Here's to Phil. Not just unrivalled at his craft, but also one of the tidiest, most free, incredibly lucid, beyond comparison instrumentalists, Phils is up there in the pantheon of all time great improvisational musicians to ever have played. Phil bought it each and every show... A living oxymoron of precise freeform melody and wildly inventive noise. All performed literally live and without a net. Many a time have I mentally isolated Phil's "space", in awe of the effortless contortionism of his unique antithetical ouvre.

Personally, I think that Phil was to the 'Dead's lower register, what Jerry was to the High side. It seems almost sacrilegious to suggest it, but I'll put my money down and suggest that Phil's space in the band was as pivotal as Jerry's... No Phil, no 'Dead.

Thank the maker that we have all of this legacy music available still. I look forward - should I be so lucky -
to many more years of getting lost in the Phil Zone.

Rest up old boy. You done good! Best to Phil's family and friends. Thank you in absentia to the donors and their families who helped Phil in later life. I hope there's some salve in the legacy and the joy still to share and share again.

x
October 25, 2024 - 1:37pm

#17

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Monter Flicker

Phil just passed away. It's a sad day at casa JimInMD. I am flying my freak flag at half mast. Phil was a legend, a talented musician, he spoke his mind and he was a kind soul.

I had the pleasure of meeting him once, we hung out and drank beer for four or five hours and talked Grateful Dead and assorted stuff. I will never forget that night.

Rest in peace Phil. Let it be known you made a great difference in this world. Come hell or high water I was going to venture to the Capitol Theatre this March to see his 85th Birthday shows if they could pull it off. I'll have to wait until I get to the other side to make that happen.

Such a bummer.. no smiles for me today.
October 24, 2024 - 1:54pm

#18

augwest11

Joined:
July 11, 2009

FRIEND OF THE DEVILS FLAC 192/24 DEBACLE

Count me among the disappointed customers who shelled out hard-earned currency for a very flawed product. I lost count of the number of songs across various shows in the set that were marred by skips and pauses.

When I first reported this I received a quick reply and a new set of download links. There was no acknowledgement of the problem, just new links. I downloaded one of them and it too had songs with skips. I have since reached out again, and now the folks at dead.net/rhino are silent.

I'll provide an update if I hear anything. In the meantime, anyone else who has experienced the same thing with the Friend of the Devils download set, please make your voice heard.
October 23, 2024 - 10:21am

#19

mmonhart

Joined:
October 23, 2024

Friend of Devil Flac problem

I also found numerous skips and gaps even after downloading the flac files twice. Support has been unresponsive. I finally instituted a disputed charge
October 23, 2024 - 12:45am

#20

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Steal Your Face

That was my first Dead album too. Summer 1976 it came out in England. There was one side of the triple album "Glastonbury Fayre" which featured about 23 minutes of Dark Star from Wembley 4/8/72 that I got a few years before that.

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