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    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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  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    20% off?....

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

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Ordered

    Bring on the Plangentized/Normanized Betty’s.

  • Thin
    Joined:
    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.

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Yo Craig

    4 8 78

    I miss you bro

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    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.

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    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

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    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

  • Danehead
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    Joined:
    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..

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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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8 years 1 month

In reply to by Dead in MA

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Dave's unboxing video is out. Glad to see he has his box. He is the producer and legacy manager so I am glad he doesn't have to wait.

Box looks super cool. I wonder how it is selling?

Last year's sold out in less than a month with 10,000 copies.

Can't wait to get mine next week.

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10 years 3 months
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The drum has rattles inside?
Dave's fluffy cat photobombs him.
My shipping now says Saturday.
Cheers

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17 years 6 months
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My Dead Box set was delayed in New Mexico due to weather Now back on track to come on Saturday by FedEx, but my Dylan Box was put off for three weeks on Amazon?? Now coming on Oct.9th??? I see some people have received theirs?? Were these ordered directly from the Bob Dylan web sight? Which now says Sold Out?

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17 years 6 months
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So sorry for the trouble; I've brought this to the Doc's attention and hope for a speedy resolution. Onward!
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15 years 3 months

In reply to by Chuck

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CHUCK
I ordered mine from a UK record store called Badlands. Looking at the UK Amazon site I see they are now selling from the US site rather than directly. Delivery 7th to 22nd October!
I’ve noticed this with the last two Garcialive releases. The UK site sells from the US, all the earlier ones came directly from the UK.

Edit: It wouldn’t be deadnet if the downloads worked immediately. They appear unable to learn from past mistakes.

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17 years 6 months
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Colin......Thanks for the Info. I also noticed my original Amazon order was for $129.00 Now it is down to $106.00

Time for another Floor to Celling wall shelf unit in my (what used to be an extra bedroom) extra room

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Box has arrived in Snohomish WA! Love it when a release comes on a Friday, doesn't get any better than that...

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9 years 4 months

In reply to by Chuck

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Was in the grocery store, there was a gentleman in front of me in the produce section. He was coming toward me, and turned into an aisle. He was wearing an older tie dye. I ask him to see what was on the back, didnt wear correct glasses. It was not a GD shirt. He heard me and the first thing out of his mouth was "Are you a dead head?" So gave him the secret hand shake and wink. Riiiiggghhht. We started talking for a while and he said his first show was 10/17/70 at The Cleveland Music Hall. We ended up talking for 15 minutes, some in all eras but mostly his early years. He siad some people said it was a horrble concert to which I replied "some people always say was a bad show," most who were not there. Exchanged contact info. Any way here is his show as reported on some sites but not on others from best i can tell. Think it has some errors as cut and paste was struggling.

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/201 - ooops
Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/2019)

Set 1

Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
I know You Rider
Me and My Uncle
It Hurts me Too
Truckin'
The Other One
Cryptical Envelopment
Sugar Magnolia
Candyman
Hard to Handle

Set 2

Good Love
Drums
Good Love
Cold Rain and Snow
Dark Star
Not Fade Away
Going Down the Road
Not Fade Away
Lovelight

encore

Uncle John's Band
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

Miller source is an awesome audience from this era. Enjoy
-Anonymous (10/17/2012)

While this show is happening 2000 miles east in Ohio, Pink Floyd plays Pepperland in San Rafael the same night. I wonder if any Dead family members holding down the fort in Marin county went and checked them out?
-David Ryder (07/11/2016)

Great audience copy of this show because the crowd is not constantly clapping like they do in the mid to late seventies. Never understand why people were clapping in time with the band ruining audience copies to hundreds of shows
-Kdead (10/17/201 - ooops

I am downloading now.

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14 years 1 month
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It sounds like it's breathing...in a Darth Vader sort of way.

Knew there were going to be some issues with last post. Dead slowed me down some causing double posts.

Also guessing even bustin the archive link up wouldnt let me post. Send message if want the link I can try again but show is out there.

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7 years 11 months
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:)))

And like Vguy, now my tracking info says to be delivered today. Our cups runneth over.

Glad people's boxes are arriving! I think I will put on 9/20/70 to honor the date and pass the time whilst I wait.

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8 years 7 months
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Got mine today. The box is an easy to shelf size. Thanks Dave. Beats the heck out of MSG box design.

I'm into runs of shows so happy also. Maybe next year Summer Tour 85' Greeks thru Chula Vista?

Drum rain sound item has already been used on my cats. Confusion & chaos abounds.

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12 years 1 month
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Everything ripped in and filed.

My quick pokes while ripping shows the recording to be very nice. Phil sounded real sweet.

Now to find a place on the shelf!

Dylan and Duke 78 have labels printed also and they are awaiting product.

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3 years 5 months
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Mine still sitting at label created. Are the downloads working this time or not?

Usual. Thx. I got my ship notice but has been sitting at label created since the 18th. Thought about buying the downloads also but Honestly tired of dealing with this entity.

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In reply to by jjc

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Avoided issues with the FLAC downloads by not pre-ordering (like I did with the Here Comes Sunshine box downloads), and purchased around lunch time today. No issues - when I completed checking out I was presented with 8 individual links on-screen for zipped folders of each of the shows. I also received the email with the links but didn't need to use them.

Spent the late afternoon cleaning up the tags. Now I need to find time to actually listen to the thing!

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10 years 6 months
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Are these shows generally on the level of the excellent 4-24-78 that is Dave's Picks Vol. 7?

Peace!

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11 years 4 months

In reply to by 1stshow70878

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They took the arrival date off my tracking now. It was in OK at noon. Might not be until next week now. Oh well.

Glad to see other folks are receiving their sets.

Dave's unboxing video was cool. Looks like a really nice box.

Delivery date is gone from my tracking info, and has been replaced with "We'll add a delivery date as soon as your package starts moving." (UPDATE 8 o'clock pm - package has reached Tracy, CA - about an hour from here)

But yes indeed Dave's unboxing video was fun. Bonus points bc it included his cat!

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9 years 4 months
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How lovely to get this on a Friday afternoon! Nice job Dead Net; This box set is a cool design. Fun stuff!
I recently played DaP 37 and this is the same great sound quality.

These aren't digipacs but cardboard sleeves. I got a great tip here on Deadnet, round bottom sleaves that fit pretty good in the cardboard sleeve for protecting CDs. I have them in all my GD cardboard shows.
search for: SoundSourceCDs Round bottom inner.
Happy Listening!

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16 years 1 month
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I’ll never understand the logistics of shipping. I’m in the south suburbs of Cleveland. Mine was in Perrysburg, OH, outside Toledo, about two hours away. Then they sent it on a two hour trip to Plain City, OH, outside Columbus. So, they sent it on a two hour trip and it’s still two hours away. Oh well, maybe tomorrow? Maybe Sunday?

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1 year 10 months
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Got my ALAC files around 9 pm (Pacific) last night.
The actual box set arrived first thing this morning (I always nab both).
Been listening most of the day while I worked.
Was never the biggest 78 fan, though Dick’s 18 has always been a fave, but both 78 box sets have given me a new appreciation.
So far, this set is a gem to my ear sockets.

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5 years 9 months
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Very nice mix and the band is hot!!

Waiting on box, but streaming sounds fantastic!!!

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16 years 1 month
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Will make for a nice Saturday/Sunday.
So pumped!

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9 years 3 months

In reply to by bigbrownie

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The b/w video from Duke show is now up on the GD you tube channel synched with Jeffrey Norman's mix for the box. There's a nice historical intro by the GOGDeadcast. Had it on VHS back in the day and as many here already know it is killer.

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10 years 1 month
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I got an updated email as other did saying they are working on the problem. Has anybody received an updated link that worked?

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7 years 11 months
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Same here @TN John - wbu, Vguy? We three have seemed to be on parallel tracks with this one... hope yours is on its last mile too

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4 years 4 months

In reply to by Obeah

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Remember old Family Circus comics where Billy would take insanely circuitous routes for simplest of movements?

The descriptions here sound like he is in charge of delivering these box sets

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11 years 4 months

In reply to by proudfoot

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Came home from grocery shopping, and was showing delivered. Not on carport or front porch so panic ensued. Looked on the next door neighbor's golf cart in his carport and spotted that box I saw Dave unpacking last night.
#4399 has arrived!

Getting the first show ripped to start on after lunch

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10 years 3 months
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... in western Colorado.
Number 2778/10000.
At this point I'm sorta meh on the drum but it has to stay with the set for posterity, lol. The cat is not impressed either. This looks to be the most shows of any box I have. A great deal for less than $10/disc. Woohoo!
Cheers

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16 years 1 month
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02824 has landed! Very excited!

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7 years 11 months
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1493 has arrived in the Bay Area. This is why I got all the vacuuming and other loud chores done this morning... now I'm just folding laundry, so it's time to put on this first show from Curtis Hixon Hall!

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by Obeah

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....at least according to the picture on my phone.
Still at stupid work.

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by Vguy72

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....secured. Packaging is cool, as expected. Going in order.
Ton of awesome pics in the Silberman book RIP.
I find it interesting that the length of the rhythm devils get longer every show up until Durham. My subwoofer gonna get a workout.

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3 years 10 months
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Just a bit outside PdXs, Oregonia!

Listened to this one on my Soundcore Q30 headphones yesterday, and making another run through it on speakers this morning. Sounds really good. Just like Dave's 38. The first set is pretty strong, but the second set is smoking! I did notice a problem in the left channel on Around And Around. It might just be the rip. Haven't checked the physical CD yet. The U.S. Blues encore is better than it would become in later years, but still doesn't have that '74 pep.

I'm happy with this box so far. Got the Sportatorium show ripped. I'll start it after breakfast when I head out for my walk.

Hope our brothers across the way start receiving these soon.

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Received a shipping notice not long after my last post. Even though it said Sept 21, I held out hope for a Devilish miracle. Especially after I watched Dave’s video.
Not only did the miracle not come, the delivery date has now disappeared as the box has been stuck somewhere in Ohio since Thursday.

Something something… missing a Sunday show!

product sku
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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