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    July 1978: The Complete Recordings

    What's Inside:

    • Five Complete Shows on 12 discs
    • 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO
    • 7/3/78 St. Paul Civic Center Arena: St. Paul, MN
    • 7/5/78 Omaha Civic Auditorium: Omaha, NE
    • 7/7/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
    • 7/8/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
    Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
    Artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope
    Intro and show-by-show liner notes by Nicholas Meriwether
    Producer's Note by David Lemieux
    Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
    Release Date: May 13, 2016

    Announcing July 1978: The Complete Recordings

    We’re pleased to announce JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, five incredible unreleased shows and the first official release from the long-lost tapes, recently returned to the Grateful Dead’s vault. Follow the Dead on a sonic journey through a superb selection of settings, an often epic adventure that finds them winning over Willie and Waylon fans in Kansas City, conjuring charisma in Omaha, and elevating the Red Rocks beyond their already spiritual planes. With five distinct performances painting the masterpiece of 1978, Betty Cantor-Jackson's always-pristine soundboard recordings, and the "hall-of-fame pedigree" of the Dead's first-ever shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, this is one release that far exceeds excellence in music, sound quality, and rarity.

    Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS includes Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78) - all of the performances in this collection are drawn from the band’s master soundboard recordings, each newly mastered by Jeffrey Norman. The set also features original artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope (D.C. and Marvel comics) and in-depth liner notes written by Nick Meriwether (Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz), as well as a producer’s note from producer David Lemieux.

    Due May 13th, we anticipate that this extraordinary box will sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here.

    Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

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  • Jason Wilder
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    Best American Bands
    Are we limiting it to rock? I mean, Jazz/R&B/Funk & Soul should get a shout, yes? James Brown, Miles Davis, B.B. King, George Clinton, Sly & the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Meters. Not to mention the rest of Motown (Supremes, Jacksons, Temps, Tops, Smokey Robinson, Commodores) and more Jazz & Blues luminaries. If we are sticking to rock, I applaud the Velvet Uderground mention. Crosby, Stills, & Nash also probably deserve a shout (is there a Canadian there?). Also Jimi Hendrix. But Bob Dylan has to top them all, yes? And if folk/pop is included, Paul Simon deserves a mention.
  • Jason Wilder
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    Great post on Brent!
    I agree in every aspect. First off, it's all picking nits. If something 'ruins' it for you (Donna screams, Bobby screams, missed lyrics, Pigpen raps, Brent's plinky keys, etc) then you ARE doing it wrong. Yes, no doubt, Brent could be a tad too bitter sometimes (Never Trust a Woman, Don't Need Love, Tons of Steel). But he did come up with a couple of pretty good non-bitter songs: We Can Run, Easy to Love You, I Will Take You Home, even Far From Me and Just A Little Light weren't bad. And all the bitter ones weren't bad (Blow Away). On the '79 Trip. I, too don't really like the plinky keys, but the show it still hot.
  • Mr. Jack Straw
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    if anything "ruins" any GD for you, then you're doing it wrong.
    if anything "ruins" any GD for you, then you're doing it wrong. Agree that Brent's choice of keys was less-than-ideal, but 10/27/79 is a HOT show. My issues with Brent have more to do with his song-writing, and less than his skills as a keyboardist/vocalist. The plinky keys are gone by 1984 or so, so I can deal with it.
  • SPACEBROTHER
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    '70's exposure
    With well over 30 years of listening to the Dead, and having collected literally thousands upon thousands of hours from every era of them, including virtually every long time favorite shows, I find myself preferring the '80's more than ever. I rather enjoy the sound of the chime of the modified Fender Roades Brent played predominantly between '79 and '81. I would agree that he grew more into the band with each passing year where Keith pretty much fell into steady decline post retirement. During the first couple of years of the bands existence, Pigpens keyboard sound of choice was pretty cheesy to my ears where he sounded like he was playing a roller skating rink keyboard. I used to pan Bruce's accordion but grew to like it more as time has went on. Vince's keyboard sounds were often over-processed to my ears though by '92 he was using more piano and organ patches. Lack of exposure to the '70's? Nope. Been there....done that. Will certainly go there again when I feel the urge to as I like all era's. I just like the '80's more.
  • JimInMD
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    On a related buzz crushing note..
    Secret Earth: Yellowstone Super Volcano is on the History channel as I write this. Thought I would add since we were talking about Rainier and Yellowstone blowing their tops recently. Fire on the Mountain...
  • JimInMD
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    Cape Cod
    I was rather enjoying that trip, its my current listen. Lots of new energy and new ideas floating around. ..whats.. hey somebody just crushed my buzz. Like seeds in weed I say..
  • stoltzfus
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    speaking of GD79
    i had my virgin listen to 9/4/79 yesterday. the compendium reviewer is Brian Dyke, who as usual is blah. do _not_ pay attention to that guy. Have you ever heard the jam out of He's Gone, which then goes into an insane Drums? Aye, bruddah, magnificent.
  • Cactus_Jack
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    tee it high and
    whole heartedly agree. George Clinton has done more for American music than almost anyone I can think of. Still going strong too. As a band, Pfunk has always been in the business of blowing minds on stage. Don't miss them if they come around
  • MinasMorgul
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    Plinko
    Yeah, this ruins what would be some otherwise enjoyable shows for me. I agree about the 90s stuff in the box too - better than 80s because it's without Plinko. I wish it didn't bother me, and I revisit this material every 6 months or so. His keys were cool to my ears when he was doing Feel Like A Stranger on DaP 8, and several songs on Nassau and Dead Set. I'm not a keyboard effionado, but I believe from what I've read on this board, it's the moog or polymoog as well as the Hammond B3 organ that make the sounds my ears prefer, and I'm not sure what keyboard makes the skin crawling tinky-tonk, perhaps the Fisher Price 420. I like the notes he plays, he's a talented musician. I blame Jerry, perhaps unfairly, for allowing this into their soundscape. Maybe Phil and Bobby deserve some of the constructive criticism, I just always got the impression that Jerry was the unsung leader and decision maker. Also can't deal with Brent's vocals as time went on. His voice was less abrasive to my ears early on, but as Jerry began to falter in the 80s, Brent moved into a more involved role, and soon all old songs were marred (to my ears). Everyone talks about Jerry's voice declining, and Bobby screaming the vocals, not singing them in the 80s, but I hear a degradation in Brent's singing voice too by '87, which I don't hear in the early 80s. Put all that together, and there's no question in my ears, which period was "better". I do enjoy some of the stuff that was written and performed during the Brent years, but even a great tune like Feel Like A Stranger was hurt by the Plinko keyboards. I will keep trying though. There are a couple of very loud 80s fans who swear by it often. I'm just hoping the reason isn't a lack of 70s exposure.
  • simonrob
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    Plink-O-Rama
    Working my way through the box in sequence, I was horrified when I got to 1979. All the energy seemed to have drained out of the band and yep, there was the Toys-R-Us piano to contend with. Things gradually got better through the '80s but they never got back to pre-'79 levels. I preferred the '90s shows to the '80s shows, with '79 being the low point of the whole box. But then again, I don't think any line-up was as good as the "Magnificent Seven" from the late '60s.
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July 1978: The Complete Recordings

What's Inside:

• Five Complete Shows on 12 discs
• 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO
• 7/3/78 St. Paul Civic Center Arena: St. Paul, MN
• 7/5/78 Omaha Civic Auditorium: Omaha, NE
• 7/7/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
• 7/8/78 Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Morrison, CO
Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
Artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope
Intro and show-by-show liner notes by Nicholas Meriwether
Producer's Note by David Lemieux
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
Release Date: May 13, 2016

Announcing July 1978: The Complete Recordings

We’re pleased to announce JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS, five incredible unreleased shows and the first official release from the long-lost tapes, recently returned to the Grateful Dead’s vault. Follow the Dead on a sonic journey through a superb selection of settings, an often epic adventure that finds them winning over Willie and Waylon fans in Kansas City, conjuring charisma in Omaha, and elevating the Red Rocks beyond their already spiritual planes. With five distinct performances painting the masterpiece of 1978, Betty Cantor-Jackson's always-pristine soundboard recordings, and the "hall-of-fame pedigree" of the Dead's first-ever shows at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, this is one release that far exceeds excellence in music, sound quality, and rarity.

Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, JULY 1978: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS includes Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78) - all of the performances in this collection are drawn from the band’s master soundboard recordings, each newly mastered by Jeffrey Norman. The set also features original artwork by esteemed cartoonist Paul Pope (D.C. and Marvel comics) and in-depth liner notes written by Nick Meriwether (Grateful Dead Archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz), as well as a producer’s note from producer David Lemieux.

Due May 13th, we anticipate that this extraordinary box will sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here.

Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

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dropped the "bells and whistles" box format to give us a bunch of music at a great entry price! I know folks can point out that the per disc price is equivalent to other recent boxes, but the total tag is perfect for my taste/budget! Thanks!After getting this, I can kick my CDboot of 7/8 to my non-buying Deadhead friend... I am totally in for this! Nice Tuesday morning surprise!
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Obviously the 7-8-78 show is pretty much pristine in circulating copies, but the others are amazing finds. 7-1, 7-3 & 7-5 are (to my knowledge) only available via audience sources. Glad to have the ones I've got, but very excited to get the Betty Boards! 7-7 is available via a mono soundboard source or nice audience tapes. Likely a Matrix too, if I remember correctly. This promises to be another major upgrade. Huge release!
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CAN'T WAIT!!! Finally getting to the Betty Boards, Cornell can't be far behind. This is a bit early for a box no? Could we be getting 2 this year? No mention of a standalone show or a mini comp release like they usually do.
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Order in and confirmed before the banner ad was posted on the home page! (Yeah I have a problem; I'll make it by a DA meeting later today)
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Yeah, I've been itching for a new box set, this is wonderful. Now I guess I'll read what I just bought. Does anyone know how many June 1977 box sets were produced? Like, was it limited to 15K?
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Upon closer observation, the banner ad says three shows from betty boards. My guess is 7/7 and 7/8 are still awol and the other 3 shows are from the "recently returned" stash. Sheer speculation mind you ....
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Perhaps that is just poorly worded and they are referring to the fact that the three were uncirculated. Let me shut up and listen to what Dave has to say about it ...
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I thought it seemed early also. I wondered about a second release this year also. But this is a real nice box.
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Didn't see that one. Still seems awful early for a box announcement, aren't they usually announced in June/July for a Sep/Oct release or am I just making things up? Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, two boxes! Either way, wow, can't wait. 3 nights in a row where the shows fit on 2 discs, huh. If the Betty's are back I guess the obvious move is to put out May '77 Part 2 next year for the 40th anniversary.
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But 15,000 copies? I thought all the boxes have been 7-10,000~ depending on the size of the release (does anyone recall? - I know the Fillmore '69 box was 10k copies, E'72 box 7,200 copies, 30 trips 6,500 copies). 15,000 sounds aggressive, especially since they will be available as cheaper digital downloads as well. And the setlists look indistinguishable from May '77 box just 10 months before (except for Werewolves) since the Shakedown Street material didn't debut until a few months later... But they ARE Betty-boards... And the Red Rocks shows are well-known so maybe this will sell well? (Similar to Cornell - Betty's/well-known shows = higher demand?). Anyone who has ever had more than 15 bootlegs knows about or has owned the Red Rocks '78 shows...
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As the story goes, the Betty's were divided at auction and different buyers took different lots. Id say the 7/1,3,5/78 tapes went to a different buyer than 7/7 and 7/8. I say this because of the fact that the red rocks shows were circulated and the other three were not indicating a difference in mindset and intentions of the owners. Perhaps then, if these are all original betty tapes, more than one lot has been reacquired. Again all sheer speculation on my part, but I am sure more will come to light in the near future! What a glorious direction for this day to take!!
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Appreciate the heads-ups about this release from one of the other boards. Awesome shows, legendary. This one hit me without any warning, makes me pretty happy.
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Fantastic release!! Uncirculated Betty Soundboards? Count me in!
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I watched a Jerry interview somewhere, and he said that the Arrowhead show was the hottest show he can remember them playing; temperature-wise.
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I watched a Jerry interview somewhere, and he said that the Arrowhead show was the hottest show he can remember them playing; temperature-wise.
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It is mid March, I think he teased this box set back around Thanksgiving and said announcement would be soon? That was almost 4 months ago lol, well better late than never. I thought for sure some DVD or blu-ray was going to be added for this box announcement. Maybe the Alpine 89 for a audio and visual set. Any way great choice, funny cause a few days ago I was thinking about a box set for July 1981. Both tours share a similar path to get to Colorado and have some very exceptional performances. Any info - "Meet up at the Movies" ? Local cinema last year was a blast
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Sunday I was listening to the 78 show from the 30 trips box and was thinking a 78 box would be something. This is really a surprise and also a smaller box also which is what I was hoping for (something under $200). I didn't hesitate to order. Memorial Day weekend this year will be a blast (assuming this arrives by that time).
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Meg Ryan going over the top? That's me right now, but from a male point of view. this is top notch. THANK YOU for releasing this! SO FNCKING COOL. This is why I order very selectively. For when things like this happen. Again, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! God bless the Grateful Dead.
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Perfect release! I am glad that they upped the number to 15,000 as too!
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The shout out to chuck was super cool....smiling ear to ear on that one. :-)
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Firstly, I wanna thank Betty Cantor Jackson, your art is most appreciated, bless you! Thanks also then go out to Prescott Carter and the Betty board tape people and Rob Eaton for making this happen. Gonna swim in these shows!
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yep, a fine way to start spring feelings ( while iT´s still snowinghere in good old Austria ). For me that will be a summer affair - May 13 means early June arrival for me - oh , i can smell summer , garden nights , me dancing , my lady smiling, kids laughing. GD forever...thank`s Dave
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Thanks to the heads up on the boards, I haven't gotten an email from rhino yet. I could do a couple boxes like this a year along with the Dave's Picks subscription. Great selection Dave.
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....plus, my birthday is May 21st. This would be an awesome gift from myself in my mailbox....
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On that final disc for a sampling of another show. How about it, Dave?
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He most certainly did say that (KC Arrowhead was the hottest concert he ever played), on one of his last interviews. you can find it on YT.
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For the Dave's picks Dave talked about 7-18-76 being released in the future on multi-track. I thought none of the Orpheum shows were in the vault as well as Red Rocks. It would very interesting to hear what classic shows have made there way into the vault and future plans for release.
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'78 is probably my least listened to year from the 70's. This box came as a surprise to me today. I'll buy one and give it a listen. I really like the 15K copies and digital availability. This box won't sell out for a long time giving people a good chance to pick it up when they have the funds. 3 months in and we already have the promise of 9 shows. No other bands can do this. Thanks Dave.
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I didn't think much of 1978 until you recommended I go to Archive.org and listen to 7/8/78. Once I did I had new faith in 1978 and now it's getting an official release.Good call sir and thanks for restoring my faith.
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7/8/78 is one of those "obvious choice" shows for official release as it was commercially available unofficially for many years. I used to see this at record shows a lot and imagine whoever owned/leaked these recordings are partially the reason behind it's popularity among traders. I always thought of 7/8/78 as a weird inconsistent show but haven't heard it in ages so it may sound a little fresher to my ears these days. There are many shows from Red Rocks that are considered essential and to me, 8/13/87 is one of the big ones. Any show that starts with a Big Boss Man is already a winner out of the gate, but it gets even better from there. The Jack straw is so powerful that it may incite a riot because of it's sheer energy. Row Jimmy, All Over Now and Loser are all amazing renditions but the Cassidy really soars. They close out the first set with a nice reading of Far From Me and another riot inducing version of Box of Rain. The second set of 8/13/87 is a full on face melter. Uncle John's is everything you would want it to be, but the Estimated Prophet that it goes into is almost as if Bob becomes possessed by demonic spirits it's so powerful. The Wheel is an essential version which flows nicely into an "ass kickin'" Gimme Some Lovin'. Stella Blue is beautifully subtle follwed by what may be the most energetic and over-the-top Throwing Stones>NFA you'll ever hear. The double encore of Touch>Knocking caps off what ended up being one of those shows I really wish I could have been there to see. This show was so powerful that the management at Red Rocks were too scared to hire the Dead to play this venue until after Jerry died. 7/8/78 is a very memorable show as well, but for sheer energy, 8/13/87 is the real deal.
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I saw a Dark Star Orchestra show a couple Sunday ago, all day I had been thinking "Never miss a Sunday show" However, I did miss the first 2 songs, but I had a pretty good feeling it was celebrating a 1978 performance by 4th song and surely knew the exact date when they started "Row Jimmy" During a trip to the bathroom in the middle of "Terrapin Station" I heard people talking about what show is this ? They were way off and when I emerged from the cloudy "smoking" stall in the midst of their sword fight, I said "78" One guy turned his head just enough to see over his shoulder and said "Wow" ! I replied "The Spectrum", he looked at me funny and swung his head the other way like an owl, then I said "Philadelphia May 78" and then Dark Orchestra smoked everyone out with "Playin' in the Band" , which was one of the highlights for me. They did play a couple tunes not featured from 5.13.78. After "One More Saturday Night" a JGB classic "Catfish John" followed up by "Mr Charlie"
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Will the monaural recording of 7/7/78 be enhanced ?
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Dave mentions its use in his video, quickly I might add, but I see no mention of it in print.
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I have been dying for a '78 set forever, and though I was really hoping they would do up the post-Egypt Winterland run this will do just as well. Thanks Dave!
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May '77 was 15,000 copies also
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Super surprised and totally caught off guard by this. Just sitting here at work getting some stuff done and got the email announcement. Jumped over here saw Red Rocks 78 and hit the order button. BAM! Can not wait to finally have these in pristine condition! Holy Grail type shows coming now. Can the May 7/8/9 1977 trifecta be far behind? It's all happening as they say. Great time to be a Dead Head!
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I have passed on many of the box sets over the years based upon price and personal level of interest (skipped both 1990 sets and the May 77). This one grabs me immediately. July 8, 1978 is obviously a factor, but the rest looks great. I am in. A mash-up tape of 7/8/78 was a mainstay in my collection, but it wasn't complete-- only set one and encores. Longtime favorite tape, so excited about getting an official release! On July 8, 1978 I was celebrating my 8th birthday with a big birthday party. We always celebrated with family, but this is the only birthday with friends and family that I recall from my childhood-- it being my 'golden' birthday. I was an 8 year old boy into KISS, a short-lived fad, but my favorite present that day was a KISS t-shirt. Whenever I played that 7/8/78 tape, I thought about that birthday party and laughed about my KISS fad. Thanks for this release-- cannot wait. That Arrowhead show sounds interesting, too. Lots of goods in this box. Spacebro, registering the first dissent on 7/8/78 that I have ever heard. Perhaps you did not have a good recording of it and this will change your mind.
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This is nice size box with shows people have been asking for for some time and shows that have only circulated in Aud. Sweet!!! What sort of chaos will the conversation fall into after we've been delivered the Red Rocks shows? Maybe Alaska or The Ark! Very much looking forward to this package. Peace!
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I think 1978 is the new 77. I had always enjoyed The Closing of Winterland, but thought only half of the Egypt release was worthy, and then I'd heard not-so-great things about 1978, so I didn't explore too much further. But when that 4/22 show from Nashville that was released as DaP 15 came out - WOW - I was converted. Still tight, and I love Jerry's Wolf guitar tone. I began grabbing other 1978 shows, and there are some scorchers. 7/8/78 is worth the cost of admission, it's that good. I actually took this recommendation from someone on here a few months ago when DaP 15 came out, and we were all over 1978 shows. Bertha / Good Lovin' is my favorite post hiatus opener, and then there's a great Dire Wolf, where the up-tempo and addition of Donna are welcome developments. They mellow out for a few songs and then Bobby kicks it in with New Minglewood, which honestly isn't all that special here, but then they get into the end of the first set and it's blazing heat Promised Land / Deal / Samson & Delilah (Wolf shines here, '78 was the year for it). Second set is one of the best of 1978. They get into two incredible hot blocks nearly a half hour each with Estimated / Other One / Eyes, and it's f'ing incredible. The Estimated has a red hot solo from Jerry that goes on and on and just begs to be turned up, and then The Other One, which I think had it's post-hiatus 70s peak in 78 (especially DP 18, but this one is also hot), and again, the Wolf is the perp here, such a raucous tone for a raucous jam like The Other One, and then the Eyes is really the only "fast" Eyes that I like, and the difference is Jerry's noodling is exceptional this night, and the backing vocals are better here than most 78 versions. Space / Drums morphs nicely into Wharf Rat, which is also a little bit better IMHO in 78 than it sounded since 72, and then we're in Franklin's Tower territory, which as much as I love the triad with Help and Slipknot, it always seems to blaze a bit hotter by itself, and it also takes on some new personality merged with Wharf Rat, as it rises slowly while Wharf fades out (they do this with various songs preceding Franklin's Tower in 78), so really it's the crown jewel of an awesome set. But it's not over, there's still Sugar Magnolia, can't go wrong there, and a solid Terrapin Station, which is also cool in 78, as it has some extended playing in a couple of places, and also benefits from the Wolf tone. And who can resist a character dining at Trader Vic's with perfect hair? Man I hope it sounds good! Oh - and that picture of Donna in the Rolling Stone article for this box - droooool. What I would do to get the Full Norman Treatment from her....
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All this Betty talk from Dave has got me excited. Could this mean they figured out a system of getting all the tapes back? Either way this boxset will sit on my shelf. Many thanks to Dave and crew for making magic happen.
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Is it safe to assume the 7/7 show is in stereo with both left and right channels in tact?
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"Betty boards...recently returned to the Dead's vault" Does this include everything in the infamous footlocker auction, including Boston 5/7, Cornell 5/8, Buffalo 5/9 and everything else? Hadn't heard this news. Did that guy return all these to the Dead?
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I did the same....laughing all the way through! Great surprise
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Been looking forward to this for a while ..... looks like a great package.Someone mentioned the Ark ..... now that would be cool also.
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Anyone catch that "shush", right around 4:40-4:41 on this soundcloud version of this wharfrat? I remember folks used to say it was Jerry "shushing" donna....i never have been sure of that....though it definitely sounds like it goes right through a microphone. Anyone have any thoughts? Should be a fine box, at a decent price, though, i wonder if it will sit around as long as may '77? That was there physically for a longtime. I would only expect the same of this box, if it isn't available even longer, especially with the wide release of 7/8/78, and downloads availability! Im quite surprised this is getting a 15,000 numbered copies, release! Shall be a fine addition to the collection!!! Those of you with iPhones, that have not yet downloaded the "relisten" app, you must do so....uses the archive, but it so much more user friendly, especially mobile wise...check it out!! Peace.
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