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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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  • estimated-eyes
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    DaP 1 and 78
    I recall someone pointing out the Star Wars release date connection way back when it was released. Don't ask me how my mind remembers such things, but I thought it was a very nice nod by the artist then and still do. That show rips, too-- love DaP 1. Thanks to those sharing their stories seeing Star Wars on 5/25/77. I remember that my dad wouldn't take me and my brother to see it for the longest time-- we were the last in our school to see Star Wars. I also remember the awe I felt when the Imperial Cruiser comes into the picture after the scroll-- mind blowing stuff for me and my brother. I am one of those who really, really like this box. That Arrowhead show is a keeper-- they must have melted some country music fan's faces from Terrapin to the end of the set. Great set of music. The Omaha show is a good one and Red Rocks lives up to the hype. Donna doesn't bother me on these shows-- I think she was ok in 78, better than her wails in PITB 72-74. In fact, I love the Deals with her, let's call it exuberance. And the 7/8/78 Werewolves is the standard for me. I had set one and the encores on tape from my tape days and that Werewolves is rock solid. Now, DaP 18, on the other hand-- this is one that is not going to get many repeat listens at my house. Initially it caught me, but it really did not hold up to multiple listens. For me, not much gold in there. Note, however, that I am really not a big fan of 1976 GD, Cow Palace and Day on the Green being the exceptions to that rule. Meh, to each their own. Some folks love 76, some love 78, some love 88. But, please-- more Pigpen era soon, pretty please...
  • mbarilla
    Joined:
    Angry Jack Straw - baffled by ?
    Hey I am in agreement, also kind of baffled with the really high praise for "Complete July Recordings" I like 1978 performance just as much as others + maybe even more, but most of what I have heard from this set offers little X-factor. Some highlights for me 7.1.78 - Tennessee Jed , Estimated Prophet, Wharf Rat -> Around & Around - show is a 6 out of 10 7.3.78 - Looks Like Rain, Peggy-O, TMNS, solid 2nd set - show rating is a 7 out of 10 7.5.78 - It's All Over Now, Ship of Fools - this is the moment when things start to take shape for me, and the X-Factor is present for remainder of show - also rate this show as a 7 7.7.78 - ? 7.8.78 - ? Still need to check these out from box set, but I have heard both nights via bootleg/ Sirius , certainly worthy of official release So far, I would rate July 1978 as the weakest box set featuring same lineup as - Winterland 1973 , Winterland 1977, and May 77 Did someone kidnap Dave L ? Where is the Fillmore East January 1970 release !! ???
  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Re: stickered boxes
    You can usually get tape off stuff with a heat gun and some patience. I always save the shipping boxes.. but I am not sure why I do. They're cool in the fact that they are customized for these boxes.. but they do take up some space and never get used. To me, I don't plan on ever selling my collection, but I guess it is a collection so for the most part I save my boxes and try to keep them in good shape. I forget who called this stuff 401k for the mind, but its so true. Might have been Bach.. but so true. I haven't gotten to 7/8 yet but so far 7/1 is the surprise show for me. From Terrapin through Wharf Rat is pretty damned good... ..more coffee, back to work, '71 GD.
  • 123takeastepback
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    Just received in Japan
    I just received the box set in Japan! Now I am listening to fisrt set of July 3rd. As always quality is the top notch. I don't know why but the box set was sent from Switzerland just like the dave's picks I had been received. Today is the Friday night and me and my friends are going to have some fun tonight.
  • WharfratWhitey
    Joined:
    5/28/77
    I haven't finished listening to this box yet but I gotta squeeze in 5/28/77 this weekend. They played one of my top 5 Sugarees at this show! Be grateful this holiday weekend. Peace. Beers to you!
  • eyes43
    Joined:
    Scott Mcdougall's (Daves Picks artist) ebay handle
    More on the daves picks volume one artwork....Scott Mcdougall's ebay handle is: uforickposters if you enter "seller:uforickposters" in ebays search box, it will take you to his listings, of which i do not think he has any right now. But if anyone where interested in aquiring any of the original art used in the daves picks volumes 1-8 or any of the road trips, or Europe 72 cd cover art, im fairly sure you could send him a message through ebays messaging thread, and aquire about his art and be doing so, directly with Scott. Hes an incredible artist and graphic designer and has done much of the art we all see anyday we grab any more recent grateful dead releases, to listen too. Original art from these covers, is quite a cool piece of grateful dead ephemera!!! Peace.
  • dantian
    Joined:
    Anyway,
    I think that's why I love the Fagen solo albums so much as well...they're like a redemption with an edge...a (mostly) positive vision (with feelings of retrospective) while invoking one's roots and youthful ideals (still alive after all these years?), and making references to contemporary spaces and places disappearing before our very eyes (while simultaneously referencing the historic past). Yeah, something like that. Whatever, it just speaks to me I suppose. Hard to explain.
  • dantian
    Joined:
    reijo29
    Alphabet City, yes sir, that's the place. @Heywood Jablome, 20 years? Damn bro, you ARE lucky to be alive. Way more lucky than me. Remember the "Mikey!" call on 2nd bet. A and B when the cops were nearby? TNT, heh. Anyway, sorry to bring all that up, sometimes it just hits me like that when I've been drinking alone late at night, and listening to Steely Dan, and wondering just how I made it this far...when many others, didn't. Maybe a little guilt? Pure fking luck, no doubt.
  • eyes43
    Joined:
    Star Wars and DaP One
    The light saber drum sticks was a concept put together by the artist Scott Mcdougall. He sold some of his original sketches and draw ups for the case artwork on ebay a couple years ago. He has since sold many of his original concepts and draw ups for most of the daves picks he did, 1-8, and all of the road trips as well. I believe he used air brushed painting and colored ink markers on vellum, for daves volume one. In fact a seller by the handle dfunk24 who is Dennis King, just sold a piece related to his original sketch of the font work, on the 3rd of this month, on ebay. If you put this number (252398082438) in the search bar on ebay, you will see another piece of Scotts work that Dennis has for sale right now. It is a road trips piece. Dennis King also has a website called D. King Gallery, where im sure anyone could contact him about the many pieces he is currently wanting to sell, all from this same line of original artwork from Scott. He also has a ton of Michael Everetts original work as well. Not trying to put an advertisement in here, but it is all related, and i think Scott did awesome work on the first eight volumes of daves picks. I cannot think of his ebay handle, but if you click on this http://scottmcdougall.net/grateful-dead-art/daves-picks/daves-picks-vol… .....you can checkout his portfolio of stuff he has done. And im sure he can be contacted through that site. Its a bunch of great art!!! Check it out!! Peace.
  • guit30
    Joined:
    7-8-78
    I was listening to the first set of Red Rocks in my car tonight, Garcia really sounds great, never heard the tones of the wolf sound so good, granted, there are some vocal miscues, but that is 70s Dead. Jerry is just letting er rip. So, there is supposed to be a (Cold,Rain and Snow on this show?) The more I listen to it, the more I like it.
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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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Rbmunkin, while in some respects 1977 WAS the last great year for the Dead- chiefly in the reliability of their musicianship, according to what I've heard from later years- it certainly wasn't their last great year for many listeners in terms of many, many great later performances. To put my bias in context, my favorite Dead years are 1969 and 1972-'74, so I'm not an '80's deadhead, though I attended the bulk of my shows during the earlier part of that decade and love many of the shows from its first half.I have both the May 1977 box set and the July '78 one, and to my ears the 1978 one is substantially better. I say that because while the 1977 performances in that box are all reasonably strong, they're not always particularly exciting to me. The band, and Jerry in particular, strike me as being in a more predictable, professional mode at the shows in this earlier '77 box release (though I expect the new '77 box to be substantially better performances, based upon the bits I've heard). I find the improvisation more raw, energetic, and dynamic in the 1978 box, and to me that's what makes shows stand out. Also, the song selection is a bit more varied, which I appreciate. While 1978 may be weaker overall as a year (and I haven't heard most of either year), I find these performances to be better than much of what I've heard from '77. Similarly, according to what a listener likes, great boxes (if not great recordings) could be put together of performances from the early 80's or even the Spring/Summer 1985 tour, I believe. One slight drawback of the 1978 box is that the recordings have a bit less depth to the sound, but that goes with the territory of later 2-track soundboards. If you like the '78 sound, definitely get this box while it's still around! I think that they're all (and not just the Red Rocks shows) excellent performances and better ones than the Dave's Picks releases from '78 so far.
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?
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Yup, 0ver 80% of the run sold in about a year; at this rate, the rest will probably sell in the next two to three years. Based upon what I've seen buying modern cd and lp releases, it's not unusual for a run to take a few years (and sometimes up to twice that time) to sell out, even for many popular releases. In that respect, wadeocu, yes, Rhino knows its customer base quite well. Nearly every other Dead limited edition/limited release has sold out relatively quickly (from a few days to several months), and even the slower ones, like the second Spring '90 box and the May '77 one, sold out within a few years or less. Believe it or not, Rhino's goal is probably not to make sure that these sell out in a heartbeat, but to sell the greatest number without multiple production runs or endless inventory. I for one am glad that people don't always have to rush to immediately buy one or have to otherwise search for it on ebay at inflated prices. Recently Rhino sold over $2 million dollars worth of the new box set (before the all-music release that followed) within three days, even with the first marked by technical difficulties- by any standard, that's pretty impressive nowadays for physical media.As a follow-up to my recent post below, finally got a chance to hear my Winterland 1977 box again (I have a huge listening backlog) and came away much more impressed by it than by the first May 1977 box, with the exception of the latter's 5/13 show, which is excellent and the best of them. I still do think, though, that overall the Summer 1978 box outranks the May '77 box in quality of shows.
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I agree Dschian on each of your points. I think it is noteworthy, however that this one is dragging on with 17% of the inventory still left after a year. I think they planned on this one moving faster and I don't blame them. I would have thought that 3 totally uncirculated betty boards and two classics with one only circulating in mono would have generated more buzz. I suspect Rhino and Co. thought the same and thus the 15k. It seems like each release gets core customer sales in the 10k range. That number represents those of us who are so pathetically obsessed that we buy everything no matter what. Then the remaining 5k in sales are the "investors" and occasional buyers. I think that dependable 10k in sales per release is pretty clearly indicated by the numbers set for the FW69 box, early DaPs etc. I think the DaP numbers have gone up only because of the demand created by the second hand market. I do find the hue and cry over limited editions a bit exasperating as I think I understand the considerations being made here and the need to limit stock on hand and warehousing. Really, if we would dependably buy 100k per release they would gladly print it; I'm sure of it. We cant blame the manufacturer for trying to avoid inventory warehousing expenses. This release is a clear indication to me that they have the number set just about right to accomplish their goal of printing and moving releases on a continual release schedule.
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You all have good guesses, as good as mine, which is. The real reason this is still available is the meltdown of Music Today shortly after the release, the website going to comments only mode for months until the Dave's subscription was announced, when NOTHING was available for purchase, and the still cryptic hint above that at some point it will be available digitally "on release day". Its very likely there are 2000 people that would have bought the box if it was the only option, but waited for the digital version instead. Add to that some short term memory loss and short attention spans and you have over 2000 copies left of this box set which I like much better than the Spring 77 box. I love this artwork and would have spent lots of dead presidents on T shirts, posters, and other schwag if offered. I also feel many people pay attention to their browsers and for months this site has been unsafe and I have to click through 2 browser warnings just to log in that say the site is bad for my internet security. NO where else on the internet do i have to click the 2nd "Are you Sure?" dialog box. What's up with that, someone saving IT money by waiting for a new interface, maybe ROAR as the core in the fall? Meanwhile the site limps along on, unsecured until the next explosion when Dave's 22 goes on sale shortly before May 77 part 1 ships and people find out if they got a limited edition or music only version. I bet that will be fun times on the board ;)
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Why has this not sold out, its fantastic. Yes.. music today and the constant Russian Hackers is a big part of the reason, the other part is beyond an initial rollout strategy, they have no involvement. For the longest time this thread faded was not even prevalent from the home page of dead.net. I'm not complaining, I have mine and love it.. I just come to this thread from time to time and think wtf?
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This page for a while was filled with hackers posting away. when i translated some of it through google before it was cleaned up, it was polish slang for "i like this place" and "these people are funny". This set rocks BIGLY, you should consider yourselves lucky its still available for cost and still numbered editions. If you don't have it yet, it's worth the money and the artwork is fantastic, in the style of a graphic novel. Compared to other recent boxes that feature Normanized versions of Betty's that have been in circulation for 30 years, This July 78 box has 4 unreleased Betty's, well 3 and a Stereo upgrade from the mono that circulated. This should make Rhino happy, the release of widely circulated Betty shows does better than the Betty's that never circulated. Maybe all those years of circulation gave people a taste of what they are willing to pay for now and the stuff that stayed hidden is too unknown to buy? In any event if you haven't got it yet, you really should grab this box before it sells out and it becomes speculative on ebay, if just for the box and artwork.
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"This should make Rhino happy, the release of widely circulated Betty shows does better than the Betty's that never circulated.Maybe all those years of circulation gave people a taste of what they are willing to pay for now and the stuff that stayed hidden is too unknown to buy?" This is very insightful indeed. I can see no other explanation for the disparity.
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I can only answer for myself, and it's very simple; DiP 18 and, if i felt I needed any more than that, Red Rocks is available separately. on a separate note; does anyone know, is Betty getting her dues; I and several others have asked, and I haven't seen any kind of response at all. If not, surely a Pledge page would be good; or is there already one up? Anyone know?
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Here's the show before the box for some added motivation for giving the box a 2nd thought while it's still available. Listen to Jerry's FAT tone on the Estimated Eyes and Ken Babbs adds some Prankster Wierdness. Grateful Dead Live at Autzen Stadium, U. of Oregon on 1978-06-25 Promised Land, They Love Each Other, Me & My Uncle, Big River, Candyman, Passenger, Peggy-O, Minglewood Blues Samson & Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet-> Eyes Of The World-> Drums*-> Not Fade Away-> Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad-> Around & Around, E: U.S. Blues *W Ken Babbs https://archive.org/details/gd1978-06-25.sbd.130649.MrBill.flac16
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Hmmm something GD related... One of the few 1977 shows that doesn't circulate as a SBD and might be one of the few still missing SBDs from the Vault. Grateful Dead Live at Robertson Gym, UC Santa Barbara on 1977-02-27 Minglewood Blues, Loser, El Paso, Ramble On Rose, Estimated Prophet, Peggy-O, Good Lovin', Mississippi Half Step, The Music Never Stopped, Scarlet Begonias Samson & Delilah, Saint Stephen-> Not Fade Away-> Drums-> Terrapin Station-> Morning Dew, Sugar Magnolia, E: Johnny B. Goode https://archive.org/details/gd77-02-27.bertrando.vernon.10378.sbeok.shnf Taped by Rob Bertrando, who if we made people Saints in the hobby would be one.
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Looking for the stuff some record shops got for the Red Rocks release 7.8.78 Rhino and Warner Bros had the same stuff. I got the wristband from local record shop when it came out , but he didn't have the shirt and water bottle available Help Rhino / Warner Bros !!! Heck I will even pay for it and the shipping cost ! Add on tax and let's call it a deal Also missed out on the grab bag my local record shop had for Cornell release party on Cinco de Mayo. There was about 12 grab bags and around 20 people even though about half were toddlers Lol with parents that won. I wanted to buy Cornell LP to get free print like marketing sign said but apparently Rhino kept the vinyl stock , so it wasn't even possible. I bought the big box set , so I didn't really need the cd version of Stand Alone Cornell show. How do I get a print ?
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I'm confused as to why this box hasn't sold out at the increasingly rapid rate of comparable releases here. It's an amazing set. I love the song lists, the packaging and artwork are through the roof awesome. Anyway, this is a fantastic set and the box, book and slip covers are treasures. As I live in Denver and bask in the luxury of downing stellar margs at the Morrison Inn prior to annual Red Rocks invitations, I am over the moon with this. Thank you.
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A few reasons this didn't sell out: 1) Even the original May 1977 took 8 months, and 1978 does not have the reputation of 1977. Definitely a factor. 2) The 7/8 standalone release, I think, KILLED sales for this. There is a percentage of casual fans out there, and they reached for the rumored best show of the lot, for much less money 3) The songs are repeats. There are oodles of versions of these songs from roughly the same period, so appeal is limited somewhat to the hardcore fans.
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Finally picked up this set on eBay for 125.00 brand new. I have been on the fence on this set for a while. Now I'm really looking forward to it. Kind of glad I skipped the new release though. Sounds like a disaster, and faulty product.
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Hey this is that new cryptolock that's taking the world by storm.don't click on the links. Beware of the MALWARE.
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8 years 11 months
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Good guesses from KeithFan2112 on why not sold out. I'll add a couple in having purchased the box set: 1) I think Rhino is amassing a reputation for poor quality control. Like others, I have a disc that skipped. I followed the instructions on how to return it. About 6 weeks later, haven't heard a word on replacing it. 2) Perhaps by 1970's standards, recording quality is great. However, against today's standards for live CDs, it's not all that great. 3) Donna's vocals are grating for most of the materials she sings on. Would have been preferable to limit her singing to material that works for her limited range.
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No questions about it; this set put the "everybody already has it" issue for sales potential to rest! Of course the power that is already new that a long time ago. Eskimos will always want their ice and the rest of the world outside of that hardcore 10,000 or so folks will just get the highlights/legends. Remember the Fillmore 69 release? There was a reason it was limited to 10,000. They just didn't account for the fact that those shows have legendary appeal!
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...after a lot of chatter on these boards about this one still being available, and after seeing how gorgeous the GSTL box set is, I decided to pull the trigger before this one went the way of the dodo, (or Fillmore 69.) I suppose I hesitated for the same reasons KF and HaGizMo mentioned. Also, I feel like 78 often leaves a lot to be desired. The two DaP from 78 are both in my personal bottom five, (though I recently ordered DiP 18, and I have heard nothing but good things about that release.) All of that being said, this box is GORGEOUS! and unlike the GSTL, it is very sturdy. As many have mentioned, this is simply some of the best artwork the band has put out in a long time! The book has some good pictures, though the essay doesn't really have a lot to say (It seems N. Meriweather had to come to grips with his own ambivalent feelings towards 78 to write it...) But this artwork!.... I am on disc 2 of the Arrowhead show, and aside from a brief skip in Bertha (on the opening song of the box! C'mon!!!) this is sounding really great. I have known 7/8 for some time now, but I am excited to get through the rest of these shows and check out the upgraded sound. (I'll just be sure to skip a couple Werewolves... ouch!) Happy Weekend, DeadLand! Peace
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I understand about 1978 but I'm not of the opinion that nothing good came out of 1978. I see it as a gateway year. Having missed out on the May 1977 Box, this one is actually the first physical box I purchased and I was really pleased when it arrived. The design is beautiful, and the sound....a lot more refined than what I had been listening to for the past umpteen years. I don't think it's a mistake at all to own it. While some people love the Red Rocks, I really enjoy the St. Paul show. It sparkles in my opinion, and the Stella Blue speaks to me deeply. Happy listening.
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I just logged on to say how wonderful this box set is, and you already did it for me :) I didn't intend to say that nothing good came out of 78... this box is a perfect example, and it is A BEAUTIFUL BOX SET!!!! Probably the most impressive looking I have seen! Peace, and 78 LOVE all around :) (Still hate Bobby's slide practice, on-stage...)
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... THIS is what kills 78 for me. He is terrible at slide guitar. Sugaree? EDIT: He got better, but I usually don't like his slide playing... he's such a good guitar player, it hurts to hear him F' it up with that damn slide...
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Blame it on Lowell George.The thing about Bob's slide playing that always got me was after all that practice every show for 17 years, he never seemed to get any better at it ;) Bob's new toy aside, this is still a great box set, great artwork, and the band seems to be having a great time. Listen to the growls in Werewolves and try not to laugh along with Donna as Bobby goes out of his way to bait her. These are fun shows of a band in transition while they were recording Shakedown St. and getting ready for the trip to Egypt.
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Otis I wasn't insinuating it was you saying nothing good came out of 78, but I do hear a lot of flak about 78 shows around the 'hood. The Dead were peaks and valleys throughout their 30 years which is to be expected by such creative human beings. Not every show can be 5/25/77 or 8/27/72, which makes me love and respect the band even more. There is so much joy in the experimentation and just the act of being in the moment which makes them so freaking appealing. Listen deeply, listen freely, listen often. I'm looking forward to the documentary film release on Thursday. I'm going to be at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville.
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I love how Bob "practiced" playing slide live on stage. In standard tuning... slide is hard as hell. Not everyone can be Joe Walsh or Duane Allman. John Mayer has said that Bob is fearless, and I admire it. He gives it a good shot, but when he misses the mark or flubs a lyric or two it just rolls like water off a duck's back. We should all be so stoic in failure. Love, love the 1978 set. The artwork is the best ever. Only critique drums and bass a bit woofy/boomy but everything can't be just exactly perfect all the time.
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This is a great show that is mixing quite well with the mood I have going right now. These shows have wonderful energy. Nothing is ever going to come close to the feeling of outdoor Dead at Red Rocks. Cool breezes under the stars in a pristine-sounding natural amphitheater. The sound bounces off those rocks in a way to make the music surround you. All captured beautifully on this recording and production.I was lucky to have made a few pilgrimages to this special place during the 80s. Many of the details are fuzzy, or invented, or altered somehow. But there are a number of clear ones that stand out, the first being Chief Hosa campground, hitching a ride there from the show with a motorcycle dude for the rush of it, and drinking from a jug of electric kool-aid (or something that resembled kool-aid). I also listened to Springfield 5/11/78 last night. I might venture to say one of the greatest Fire on the Mountains I've heard, or at least in a while. And that goofy Dancin' in the Street..... Also 1978 brought us Egypt stories and Hamza El-Din, new rhythms, and Jerry pig tails.
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13 years 4 months
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"Not every show can be 5/25/77 or 8/27/72, which makes me love and respect the band even more." Very well said, and I totally agree. (Also, I love that you name drop 5/25 in that comment :) I also agree with LedDead's point that slide is hard as hell, and that Bobby deserves respect for being so fearless. I will always have MAD respect for Bobby - - but KayakGuy also has a good point that he never really got any better at it, and 78 seems to suffer the most from it. That slide work on Sugaree just makes my soul sad... I am steadily working my way through July 78 and mixing it up with DaP 22 and GSTL - - It's a fun mix of different era Dead. (Oh, I've been throwing some of the 82 Greek shows in for good measure - Lordy, there is some tremendous playing there too!) So far, my favorite 78 discs are Arrowhead disc 2, St. Paul disc 1, and disc 2 of the second Red Rocks show. All of them are worthy shows, and I am very happy to have this set. Hope everyone has a grand week! Just found out my wife was offered a job as a principal of a K-8 school here in the city! Down side, I will be seeing a lot less of her :( Up side, I usually have to turn off the music when she gets home, so more listening for me :) Peace
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7 years 4 months
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Was this show ever offered up digitally or do they have to sell out the boxset first? anybody know? Thx
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14 years 11 months
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2296 left
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16 years 5 months
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11 years 8 months
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This 78 set is just a step over the wild edge from 77 and its a much better mix - Jerry's guitar isn't hidden underneath drums, bass and piano. The Peggy-Os are all great too. Downside is all those Rhythm Devils tracks.
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13 years 10 months
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I agree, get it now if you still can. This is one of the best boxes ever. I'm in my second round of listening to the box, half way through. I call this the Muscular dead. Jerry is playing with a little louder and a little tougher. The rest of the band is top notch. You can hear Kieth really well. Perhaps the drums are a little loud. I like this better than 77 boxes, although they are a good listen too. I just like the raw energy of this 78 box.
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7 years 11 months
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Love this box set. Can only imagine why it has not sold out. The sound is so good and the shows are great. Set list with the exception of 7-8 2nd set are not all that unusual and the set is one of the best from '78. 7-8 1st set is fairly average and really a bit uneventful. Jerry breaks a string apparently on the 7-7 FOTM, preventing that version from being incredible. Overall still a great release. The overall packaging is far superior to the most previous May '77. I love the '78 sound it is loud and robust and my Klipsch speakers are just made for this stuff. Anyone looking to upgrade your amps? Consider Odyssey custom Khartago extreme plus. These mono blocks are relatively affordable and are crystal clear balanced power houses.
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17 years 3 months
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If you're on the fence about whether to get this one let me help you out a bit. This box is smoking. On fire rock and roll from the good ol Gratefule Dead. 7-1-78, 7-7-78 and 7-8-78 are on fire. Omaha is a great show that hasn't been heard before this box. St. Paul has its moments. Get it!
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10 years 8 months
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If you're on the fence, pick this one up. As mentioned, the artwork is fantastic, and probably the best artwork for a release, especially a box. Get Shown the Light is a little overwrought, and flimsy for something that you would reach for a lot. This set, on the other hand, is nicely housed and sits on my shelf proudly displayed, where GSTL sits in its shipping box closed up, and 30 Trips sits in my closet in its box (perhaps I need a better organized display in the music room). The thematic covers are top notch artwork. I'm not a comic book guy, liked them some when I was a pubescent, but the comic stylings married to the Dead themes and venues is fantastic. The best part may be the booklet cover being a nod to the rained out Summerfest show. The music is really good, too. Like many have said, '78 isn't really my year, but I still ordered fairly close to the day it went onsale, thinking it would be a madhouse, which I did for May '77 as well, where I was likewise shocked at it taking over a year to sell out. Not sure Bob's slide is the killer for me for '78, but it doesn't help. The setlists are fairly varied, and my biggest problem with '69-74 is no Terrapin, no Scarlet> Fire, etc. Conversely, '77-78 lack Dark Star, 20 min Playings, and Other Ones that extend past the 10-15 min mark. But what is played in this set is very good stuff. Not as tight as May '77, not as exploratory as '72-74, '78 is a beast of its own, with fiery guitar work being the primary sonic signature. The Jack Straws, Music Never Stopped, and Wharf Rats have a great intensity. 7/1 is the revelation of the box to me. I prefer it to the legendary 7/8. 7/8 is the show I've listened to least in the box, less than 7/3. Hard to believe more fans haven't snagged these, especially given they were the first fruits of the return of the Bettys, and brought out 3 UNCIRCULATED tapes. 130 bucks plus shipping is a really good deal, and it has the best packaging and artwork of any box set I own (I don't have the Steam Trunk) as well as some really good Dead.
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17 years 2 months
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My brain can't understand why this box hasn't sold out when others vanish in hours. This is really god sh*t. I need to consume it by the gram, it's that potent.
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14 years 11 months
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Get 'em while they're hot.
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7 years 11 months
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icecrmcnkd, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Or in this case, you can lead a Head to the Promised Land, but...you get the picture.
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8 years 11 months
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Does not compute.....
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14 years 11 months
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1984What you waiting for? Time to get it now Time to let it in your life. (apologies to Randy California)
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