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.

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.

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

....up for preorder at Garcia Family Provisions.

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.

on my screen in the top right corner is a down pointer, click that and one option is "message"

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, 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…

played at commercial break of Mets\Dodgers playoff game. What could be next? Cosmic Charlie?

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.