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.
Just trying words
Acid
Ecstasy
Psychedelic
Bear
Formerly the Warlocks
Dark Star
Freaky
John
Paul
Hampton
Colosium
News alert....
....the Internet Archive was hacked. Data breach effects 31 million users.
The Ticketmaster breach got me earlier this year.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Edit. It's officially hockey season y'all!
So many Jam bands and Taylor chipping in to assist....
....the hurricane victims.
Google jamband assistance.
Then Google how the democrats control the weather.
So yeah. The new Billy Strings record is getting better by the hour.
I am extremely disappointed by some of my fellow Americans.
1972. 1978.
Oro - yes, I agree. It seems to me that the best shows from 1972 were played in 1972, and the best ones from 1978 were played in 1978. The worst shows in 1972 wouldn't be played until 1978, and the worst shows of 1978 had already been played in 1972.
I sometimes enjoy 1st sets more than 2nd sets in the 1977 - 1978 time frame. 5/9/77 peaks for me with the opening H/S/F. I can't think of a single show from 1972-1974 where the best tracks of the show were the first three played.
Exceeded Expectations
Basically have all the shows listened to now. With this first run through, seems the FL and GA shows have more nuance and then its the later shows that really bring on the hyperdrive. Duke and WV in particular.
I'll step out of line and just say it: found Duke to be the weakest in the bunch. First set in particular. Sound issues at the beginning of the set, a number of flubs, and in general the band isn't as synched as they could. Really noticeable when you hear how fresh Bertha sounds to kick off the second set, when they've gotten things settled back in. But still really nothing that rises above and beyond the other shows. April 11 Atlanta gets the crown jewel for me.
All in all, top tier GD to my ears.
Dave's List?
Thanks, Oroborous! Do you happen to know where that list is posted?
Peace!
Cardinals At The Window....
....10 hrs of various jambands available at the Bandcamp app for $10 or more. Benefits western NC relief efforts.
Just throwing it out there.
Anniversary show 10/10/80 Warfield Theatre
44 years ago I was at the Warfield Theatre for another knockout show with the Good old Grateful Dead. Big Fun! It would really be nice if they could put together a box set of these shows. Some of the tapes were erased, maybe they have some back up tapes, one can only hope.
Birchwood
POSSIBLE LIST and OTHER IDEAS
-1/20/68 Eureka DS
-4/21/69 Ark DS
-4/23/69 Ark DS
-1/2/70 Fillmore DS - DaP 30
-1/3/70 Fillmore p/o - Dap 30
-9/19/70 Fillmore DS
-11/7/71 Harding DS
-1/2/72 Winterland
-8/24/72 Berkeley DS
-2/15/73 Dane DS
-5/26/73 Kezar (BB) HCSS 73 Box
-6/10/73 RFK DS HCSS 73 Box
-6/30/73 Universal Amp. DS
-9/11/73 W&M DS
-5/17/74 PNE - PNW Box
-5/19/74 Portland - PNW Box
-6/23/74 Miami DS - DaP 34
-7/31/74 Dillon - DaP 2
-9/28/75 Lindley - 30Trips
-6/14/76 Beacon (BB) - June 76 Box
-6/15/76 Beacon (BB) - June 76 Box
-10/3/76 Cobo - 30Trips
-5/18/77 Fox
-5/26/77 Baltimore DaP 41
-11/4/77 Colgate - DaP 12
-1/18/78 Stockton
-1/22/78 Eugene - DaP 23
-1/15/79 Springfield
-8/30/80 Spectrum
-10/14/80 Warfield
-3/9/81 MSG - MSG Box
-5/16/81 Cornell - 30Trips
-8/30/83 Hult
-10/21/83 Worcester - 30Trips
-10/9/84 Worcester
-11/2/84 Berkeley
-9/18/87 MSG - 30Trips
-7/29/88 Laguna
-10/26/89 Miami DS - 30Trips
-12/27/89 Oakland
-10/27/90 Zenith- 30Trips
-6/22/91 Soldier Field DSJ
-9/26/91 Boston DS
-3/29/93 Albany HCSS
-9/13/93 Spectrum DS
Not sure where?
Just wrote down what he said while being interviewed fior the roll out of DaP series…the list that doesn’t exist…
I don’t think he has it tacked up on the wall and necessarily consults it to make picks, perhaps just another tool (along with his tape collection lol) etc
All I know
Is I wish he’d release some shows offa my list of shows I was at ; )
Any chance. . .
Ian,
any chance on the following?
Dick's #23
Dick's #36
Dave's #9
Peace!
Great List
Thanks for sharing this. The longer I look the more interesting it gets. So, 11/7/72 is not in the Vault but 11/6 (is/might) be?
Anniversary show 10/10/82 Frost
42 years and one day ago, I was up in Palo Alto at the Frost Amphitheatre for the 2nd of two fantastic Grateful Dead shows.. Big Fun! 10/9 & 10/82 at the Frost will make for a great double release one day.
Dick's Picks
My favourite Dick's is 33 - they responded well to only being allowed an hour per set plus of course it's another Betty!
36 has this astonishing Dark Star>Morning Dew
My Dave's 9 is only an mp3 but still sounds ok!
10/12 & 13/68 Avalon Ballroom, official release please.
These two shows would make for a killer release. My favorite St.Stephen.
Well...
I'm with Billy the Kiddd. That would be something.
Seriously, more 68 and 70 if you please. We're patient, but it's been a while.
Edit: So frustrating, but I still haven't dipped my big toe into this box, just can't find the time for a focused listen. These shows are not new to me, but I have yet to absorb the Full-Norman (with the Plangent touch no less).
First world problems I guess, I just hope it still has that new box smell when I get to it.
43 Years Ago Today
I was in Rüsselsheim for my first Grateful Dead show.
Sitting way up front, had some smoke and enjoying the music from outer space.
Mind-blowing, good memories.
Cheers, G.
Grateful Dead movie showing
Just posted on u toob this morning is a short David L. video announcing a showing for an apparently extended version of The Grateful Dead Movie. While he doesn't specifically mention when & where it'll be shown, if you read the comments & text below the video it says it will be stream online 10/16, 5pm pacific / 8pm eastern. There's a l i n k in the text where they'll show it.
There's no mention of a physical release at some point. So just wanted to point this out to the good folks here to check it out. Unclear if, when, how you'll get another chance to check out this extended cut.
Tired of the box - tired of life?
I am getting a bit tired of this box, I'm sorry to say. I listened to the first 4 shows with enthusiasm, but that feeling diminished with each succeeding show. Great sound, and every well presented, but although there are good moments the playing doesn't sound that inspired to me. I think I'll leave the rest of it for a while. Maybe not one that can stand successive plays of shows.
Good news about that extended version of the Grateful Dead Movie at the cinema though. I won't be travelling to the States to see it, but hopefully later on it will go on general release.
Terrapin & West L.A. Fade Away.....
played at commercial break of Mets\Dodgers playoff game. What could be next? Cosmic Charlie?
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…
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}}}
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.
Garcia/Grisman Bare Bones Vol 1....
....up for preorder at Garcia Family Provisions.
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
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.
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.
Three things that suck
Vasectomies
Prostate exams
Going through TSA
checking in/sorry for change of subject
Latest on Meyer Sound - almost as many speakers as wall of sound...
Meyer Sound Delivers For Metallica In The Round
October 12, 2024
Picture of PSW Staff PSW Staff
Stadium performances in North America for the latest leg of the M72 World Tour supported by 522 Meyer Sound loudspeakers, including PANTHER large-format linear line arrays and 2100-LFC low-frequency control elements.
Rock icons Metallica came to North America this fall for the latest leg of the M72 World Tour, with stadium performances in the round supported by 522 Meyer Sound loudspeakers, including PANTHER large-format linear line arrays and 2100-LFC low-frequency control elements.
The tour, which began in April 2023, stops for two nights in each city, presenting two sets on “no repeat weekends.” Fans are provided stereo mix in every seat, one that’s faithful to 40 years of studio recordings, explains front of house engineer Greg Price. “Our goal was to bring that intimate environment into a stadium.”
The system, supplied by Clair Global, is comprised of 288 PANTHER line array loudspeakers, 96 2100-LFC LFC elements, 48 VLFC very low‑frequency control elements, 16 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements, 22 ULTRA-X40 compact loudspeakers, and eight UPQ-D2 full-size loudspeakers. These components are configured in three concentric rings.
Outer ring arrays are suspended from eight towers, with two PANTHER arrays on each tower. Each tower carries six VLFC elements; 2100-LFC and 1100-LFC elements provide sub support from the ground. An inner system comprises eight hung arrays of PANTHER loudspeakers. The “Snake Pit” fan section in the center of the stage is covered by inward-firing UPQ-D2 loudspeakers, while the outer side of the ring employs 22 ULTRA-X40 compact loudspeakers as front fills. Wedges comprise 36 MJF-210 and 8 MJF-212A stage monitors. The system is controlled by 35 Galileo GALAXY network platforms.
The team swapped out 96 1100-LFC elements with 96 2100-LFC elements when the tour returned Stateside in August. “I was the catalyst for making the change to the 2100-LFCs,” says Metallica creative director Dan Braun. “The results of the PANTHER arrays have been stunning from the moment we deployed them, so it wasn’t a big leap for me to think that we could make some serious gains in low frequencies as well. And the tighter end-fire array that we’re able to put together allows us to steer this thing and get higher fidelity into more seats. It’s not about turning up the bass. It’s about creating more seats that have that nearfield monitor experience.”
Price adds, “When we showed up at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, we put all of my 96 1100-LFCs on a ship, shipped the entire PA without subs, and had 96 2100-LFCs show up. I put them in place where the 1100-LFCs were, and turned it on. I swapped out subs in the middle of a six-month tour and I didn’t touch a thing in my mix and it was absolutely jaw dropping.”
Garcia/ Grisman. Bare Bones
My order is in. The Garcia/Grisman shows I saw at the Warfield Theatre were the absolute best!
Take another step back......
......and tell Bobby Happy Birthday!
Happy 77th Bobby
The age of these rockers never ceases to amaze me; they continue to captivate us all.
Be Well People!
Sixtus
Happy Birthday Mr. Weir....
....I also see Santa Fe pre-order is up but the comments aren't working.
Those bolos added the Cumberland from the previous day as philler.
Aint Life Grand.