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July 31, 2024 - 6:48am

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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 16, 2024 - 1:31am

#81

RyXs

Joined:
February 10, 2021

Take another step back......

......and tell Bobby Happy Birthday!
October 15, 2024 - 2:52pm

#82

billy the kiddd

Joined:
November 8, 2021

Garcia/ Grisman. Bare Bones

My order is in. The Garcia/Grisman shows I saw at the Warfield Theatre were the absolute best!
October 15, 2024 - 2:48pm

#83

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

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.”
October 15, 2024 - 1:50pm

#84

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Three things that suck

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

#85

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

#86

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

#87

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

#88

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Garcia/Grisman Bare Bones Vol 1....

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

#89

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

#90

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"

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.

Corrupt 24/192 files

@CmdrDarklighter

The flac files for this box are corrupt. For whatever reason, they're still for sale. Some of us have tried slugging it out with support, the higher ups, and whatnot. Nothing has changed.
The flac files are still full of drop outs and digital stuttering. The alac files, I believe, are ok.

Great Box Set!

Just got done listening to the Box set in order, plus threw William and Mary in there to make it like I was on tour. I have to say that it was a very enjoyable experience. All the Box sets are excellent, but this one really brought a smile to my face. There's a looseness to the playing that makes it incredibly easy to enjoy - plus the sound is killer!! Going to need to relisten to July '78 now.

Now, let's scrape up anything listenable for that Fall 1970 Box set.

4/10-11/78

I was able to get in both shows last night. The band is on fire, and there is a looseness to the playing, but also some really focused jamming

Scar>Fire from 4/11/78 almost set my damn house on fire!!!

Still

Working my way through the box, because life…
Listening to 4/11 now. You ain’t wrong JONATHAN918@GD. The Scarlet>Fire is smokin’!

Still working my way also

Listening to the tour chronologically, I'm up to Duke and enjoying it immensely. This is a grate box!

What's the companion show from this tour already released?

Taking it easy

I'm taking my time with the box too - I played the 1st cd of 4/14 this morning and every song is spot on. Great Tennessee Jed, but there isn't a weak song in the set.

I wasn't aware of a companion show, but as one was mentioned I went and had a look at my Daves Picks. Stone me - number 37 is 4/15/78.

Almost There

Started the 4/16 show today. The lead-off Jack Straw is a ripper!
I’m pleased with the box as well.

Great Box

I took my time going through the shows in this box and found them all enjoyable, but I particularly liked the 4/16/78 show. I listened to it again in the last week or so, and it seemed just about perfect. I seem to recall that 4/14/78 also really hit the spot on the first run through, but I have not given it a second listen yet.

The thing I really liked about this particular run of shows is hearing the evolution of the drums-space interlude at the point it began. All the dead shows that I saw were basically mid to late 1980s and a couple in the '90s, so the drums-space interlude was a part of pretty much every show that I saw, so really cool to hear that show format being established in these shows. It helps that I typically really dig the drums-space interludes, just cool to hear where it goes, and to hear the transition into whatever song came after the interlude. Good stuff.

FOTD's Box Cover Art

Sorry I’ve taken so long. You’ve probably already got this covered, but I finally got around to working on Matthew Brannon’s artwork for the FOTDs Box. I started with images cedartree96 posted on reddit. They are good scans, but needed some serious color correction based on the CD sleeves in my box. Also, the backgrounds aren't exactly the same as what’s on the sleeves in my box – maybe artist’s proofs? Anyway, if you still need ‘em, here’s what I've got:

"3w dot" dropbox "dot" com/scl/fo/1i777b15ncbxwvr70duv3/AMlHEK_DvPU2BqZh0ugjeGM?rlkey=26r5ro33aig037ckir7xtknqs&st=snd7kum7&dl=0

Finished

Took a road trip to southern Ohio yesterday and finished the box set. Looks like it’s against conventional wisdom, but my favorite show is 4/8. The second CD really hits the spot! I’m very happy overall, and will be coming back to these shows often.
PS, I just realized I haven’t gone through the booklet yet! Haha!

RONMARLEY

Nice work man!

I still haven't picked a favorite show from the box yet, but 4/8/78 is a contender for sure

I forget where I read it, but 4/8/78 might have been Dick Latvala pick for best as well. Half Step and Scar>Fire are monster versions!!

Rock on, gang

DV’s Notebook

Hey JONATHAN918@GD…
You are right on about Dick! Thanks for sending me on a hunt. If you Google “dick latvala 4-8-78”, the second link will take you to his notebook pages at GDSets dot com. Pretty cool to see his opinion change over time.

Same Here

4/8/78 is my favored too.
Scarle/Fire - celestial!
Cheers

Woops

Was thinking 4/6…

Yep

4-6-78 was my favorite.
Duke was good too.
Maybe 4-15-78 (Wm. & Mary DaP 37) was the best of the bunch?
First time through though. Will read the booklet when I start going through it again. Been saving that to form my own opinions first.
Cheers

Box Booklet

Just finished reading, and it’s an excellent guide to the shows. It’s always cool when you lean something new about the band. 1STSHOW70878, you were wise to wait; it might have influenced your opinion.
It’s very well written. It’s also sad that it’s one of the last writings by Steve Silberman.

4/8/1978

Just listening to 4/8/1978 Veterans Memorial through my Marantz/Martin Logan ESL9 system and this show sounds fabulous. Drums set is especially awesome . The sound stage places each dum in a space of their own. Can't wait to make it through the other shows. So glad I bought this.

The Duke Lp/CD set was reviewed

in The Absolute Sound January 2025 addition by Jeff Wilson, a self described fan. Decent review, but he blows JGs age lol, and ironically he doesn’t talk much about the audio. The main pic has to be from later in the year as bobs playing an Ibanez Musician Series which he didn’t start trying until May. (at least from all the pics I’ve researched?) But always fun to see the boys get acknowledged.

what happened to comments

on Dave's picks? Not showing up anymore...

It moved

Go to Recent Posts (top right drop down)
New title is Dave's 52 Take 2.
MaryE explains old one died.
I.T. issue I guess.
Cheers

Yeah, so sorry

I messed up...but head on over to Take 2

Thanks 1st show! (and Marye)

Found the new thread.

Great box!

Finally made it through the whole box, including the Dave's 37 which is part of the tour. Dave's 37 is a little more octane than those shows in the box, but they're all really good. I'm wondering if there were other releases from this tour besides DaP37??

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