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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 14, 2024 - 8:00pm

#91

RyXs

Joined:
February 10, 2021

Chop~Show Crazy!

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

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

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

#92

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

RE Tired

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

#93

billy the kiddd

Joined:
November 8, 2021

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

played at commercial break of Mets\Dodgers playoff game. What could be next? Cosmic Charlie?
October 14, 2024 - 1:42pm

#94

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

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.
October 14, 2024 - 12:18pm

#95

Birchwood

Joined:
May 23, 2014

Dennis

Thanks, where?
October 14, 2024 - 8:11am

#96

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

When i return

10 9 89
October 14, 2024 - 8:08am

#97

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Rando

New Beetlejuice movie

Bob character

Artistic type should superimpose image of Bob Weirz noggin on top

Anywho...
October 14, 2024 - 8:07am

#98

HaGizMo

Joined:
October 21, 2015

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.
October 14, 2024 - 5:19am

#99

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Birchwood

check messages
October 13, 2024 - 5:00pm

#100

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

Happy anniversary Gerd

Dave,
Europe ‘81 Box (with video).

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