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.
Nice
I am digging this box. I am listening to the shows in order and up to the 4-10-1978 Fox Theater Show, and so far the sound is good and the shows are hot. Definitely cool to hear the genesis of the drums-space show format in these shows, I was always a big fan of the interlude and the transition to whatever came out of space, but I realize the sentiment was not universal. The design of the box is intricate but actually pretty functional and I find it pretty appealing, particularly now that fivebranch has explained the connection between the devil iconography and the deep south folk art. I'm pretty easy to please, so your appreciation of the box may vary, but if anyone is on the fence about getting this, I would pick it up. Thinking good thoughts for your smooth recovery Oro, good to see your sense of humor is intact.
They say laughter makes one live longer....
....if so, I just gained an hour!!
Pulled the last minute trigger to see Blue Oyster Cult in Laughlin (coincidence? I think not!) tonight. About an hour south from here. Rumors swirling regarding Eric Blooms health, so might as well see them while they are still performing because I'm not a fan of regrets.
I will be taking the first Fox Theatre show with me.
Update....Close Encounters sighting in the Jacksonville Space.
Is that the first "official" Space? I'm down for it. The band is on fire!
First pass through complete
All CD’s played fine.
Today copied to HD, converted to ALAC, and loaded onto a portable music player.
Now going through the ALAC files to confirm that the CD’s copied to the HD without error.
It’s fine with me that the Dead air was removed, we got 8 shows across 19 CD’s in the Box. Leaving the Dead air in might have required 24 CD’s which would have driven up the cost and made the Box larger.
Three Shades of Blue: MD, JC, Bill Evans
Oro - Do we say “Welcome Home!!!”? Quite a roster of MIA. Glad all is well - as far as alien abduction is well - and nothing grievous going on (sorry to TOO - The Other Oroborous - on his loss). That jazz book is one of had my eye on, may invest for a nice post-Hunter read! I preordered Miles’ Live In Paris bootleg, but I’ve been buried in lots of music to play in a short period lately, as it tis’ the season of the box.
Sabres - This year! Believe.
Besides, no team can be that bad for that long. ;)
OB
Good to see you OB. Glad the Hey Now folks didn't stop you!
Hope you recover fast. Loving the box so far, but can't speak to a full review yet. Might take me a couple of weeks to get through all the shows. Which is okay.
Yes, 3-0. Hard to believe.
Bills out to a good start.
UK
FRANKPARRY
Since you asked. Yes, the final leg of my delivery will use Parcelforce. DHL got into the country but then passed it on.The same happened with the NY box. Tracking on my GD box said ‘Cleared Customs’ for two or three days than several updates appeared at once saying it was held until charges were paid. I had to wait 4 days until a letter from Parcelforce was delivered detailing the charges. Delivery arranged for Tuesday and I live in hope they manage to do it this time.
While I have been lurking a bit, but mostly absent
due to working with the brothers to sort through Mom's accumulations of almost a century, I am gradually recharging my batteries. My wife and I got to a couple shows, which was helpful beyond measure.
I do appreciate all for your kind thoughts and healing vibes. Take care
Such a long, long time to be gone
And a short time to be there
Edit- in awe of brother Oro's ability to sneak his long posts past HeyNow, I want to be like him when I grow up.
Re: (Oro)^2
(Oro)^2 = Oro Squared. The math nerd in me.
Hopefully trouble behind and not trouble ahead for both Oro's.
I have been thinking a bit about the people left behind. Part of it is a natural progression, some come, some leave, the drum circle of life. Part of it was most certainly the evil Dr. Hey Now. I'm sure there is some over saturation too.
Oro 1, I most certainly can relate to what you are going through. I'm in the middle of it myself. Hang in there man.
Oro 2, I most certainly can relate to what you are going through also. I am mostly held together by rubber bands and duct tape (duck tape?). Heal up my friend.
Keep up the peace all. I have my box but have not had the time to unbox it yet. Hopefully soon. I do love spring 1978 though.. I am waiting for the right time when I am not distracted or have other weighty things seem to take the primary focus.
It Must Have Been The Roses. This one doesn't always speak to me, but when it does it's perfect. Roses and To Lay Me Down have a time and place.
I haven't had the time for full shows lately, let alone a mini-monster box like this. Been doing a little late 70's early 80's that fits perfect with what I am doing. I am thankful for that.
Anyway, there is a mix of nostalgia and new growth in the air today. I guess that's appropriate for a Sunday. So is acoustic GD and maybe even some Old and in the Way. Perfect Sunday afternoon music.
Cymbals
I started listening for them more closely and they are pretty faint on 4-6,7,8 (made it that far).
Haven’t compared to the torrents yet.
I am spinning 1-22-78 vinyl and the cymbals were also low for several songs. But can hear them pretty well on Other One.
Don’t know if they are low on the source and the folks who made the torrent FLACs boosted the signal, or if they are louder in the source and Norman reduced them.
Only way to know for sure is that 5 impartial people from this site get an all expense paid trip to the Vault for a listening session. Just hold a lottery to see who gets to go.
I'm In
I might be a little partial though.
The hard part, once we find our way into the vault and abscond with as many reels as will fit in my pockets (everything) will be convincing` Mr. Norman he must remaster them for us.
What could possibly go wrong, right?
Hey, while we are on the subject.. it was mentioned why not mix in some audience where Jerry's voice was not present on the Duke Show. While we don't know how it would have sounded, technology is such that we can mix in just the vocals, if we can get more like Dave's Picks 8, I'm in. Thank You to Dr. Bob, Dave (and Scott and Jim who frequent this board). Not sure how possible any of that is, but hey.. there's always tomorrow.
RIP Kris Kristofferson....
....found Breakaway on Spotify with Rita Coolidge. Going in.
Convoy is a personal favorite movie from when I was young.
Me And Bobby McGee.
Kris Kristofferson
May the Great Universal Spirit bless and behold ye!
I first found out this here, before any major news outlets, what a trip.
Anyways thoroughly enjoying this Debels Box. Just reflecting on Kris though, beyond his music. That movie he did with Coburn & Dylan, {Another Peckinpah Masterpiece} has been on the Western channel lately. Man Bob Dylan is a beast in that film, he is deadly with that knife! Great soundtrack too. "Convoy" was mentioned and that film rocks, but one more Kris film comes to mind. "Flashpoint" from 1984 is a way cool movie with a mysterious conspiratorial tone about the biggest crime of the 20th century. Kristofferson plays a Border Patrol agent who happens across human remains in a half buried decades old jeep wreck somewhere in the vast desert wilderness of his jurisdiction. Turns out to be one of the alleged Kennedy assassins. Great movie I recommend it!
Anyways R.I.P. Rubber Duck! {Convoy 1978}
Flashpoint (1984)
I almost forgot to mention, though even further now from Debels Box chit chat.
Tangerine Dream does the movie soundtrack! Reminiscent of their work on the "Sorcerer" film score.
Re: Huntington WV
The sleeper of the spring tour. One of my personal favorites.
Good to see it get some love.
'83 Morgantown is a surprise for Spring 83 as well. Not sure how or why I missed that one.
En route - Blues Bizarre
I've just checked my tracking status, and it's "en route" apparently. Hopefully I will be here when it arrives!
In the meantime, amongst the usual suspects, I came across a great blues based rock band from Scandinavia called Blues Bizarre yesterday. They only have one album released and they have three great live in studio performances posted on you tube. Very powerful guitar sound - great slide playing on a Gibson SG counterpointed and complemented by more excellent and spacey guitar playing from the lady with the strat. When they start jamming it sounds a bit like a San Francisco band from the late 60's.
En Route
Daverock - I had the same from DHL but Colin said that this is a preamble to a customs charge being applied and needing paying before Parcelforce deliver it.
Got the vinyl version of Duke yesterday. I’ll have to wait til Tuesday before my new turntable arrives. It’s an extravagance but hey, you only live once, supposedly.
Correction - UK
Parcelforce has just delivered my box and there is a customs charge sticker on the box which says “this package cannot be delivered until the charges (£47.29) are paid” only it was and I didn’t pay or was asked to pay. Maybe it’ll be a letter demanding payment in the post?
Help on the way?
My parcel is said to have departed from the FedEx SmartPost location in Breinigsville PA on 9/25/24. I did get a USPS tracking number from a FedEx agent that I managed to get hold of on Saturday. The status is that the USPS was notified by the shipper to expect my package for mailing and that a delivery date will be provided when USPS receives the package. It has now been almost two weeks since my package was shipped from Vista CA and there are still no satisfactory answers. I have never had a package that failed to be delivered. I am now getting particularly worried that this package was either lost or misdelivered by the buffoons at FedEx. I have exhausted all the agencies I can turn to. Breinigsville PA is only 73 miles away from my post office in NJ. Can you kindly help me with this, MaryE?
Huntington
I can’t begin to tell you just how beautiful is the Estimated - Eyes pairing on Huntington. Just sublime.
Hoping that you get your copy soon Andoverdeadhead and all those waiting.
I'm up to the 10th set 1
Got to be heaven. If this ain't the real thing, then it's close enough to pretend.
£47.29?!
Frank - they aren't cheap, these boxes, are they ! Hopefully you have slipped through the net and won't be asked to pay this charge.
I haven't bought the vinyl that goes with this box. Yet. On that subject, I've noticed the vinyl copy of 6/10/73 has dropped significantly on Amazon UK since it was first released last year. I haven't regretted buying any of vinyl copies of Dead shows yet.
Dave's #52 ?
2/17/79 or 9/20/70 would both be very cool releases for #52.
RIP Pete Rose....
....the hits keep on hitting.
He should have been allowed in the Hall Of Fame imo.
Pete Rose and assorted Ramblings
I agree wholeheartedly. But why bet on baseball while he was a coach, and on his own team (although as I understand it he always bet on them to win)? I guess in a way gambling is like cocaine.. which is why I do not gamble anymore.
So, a self-inflicted wound to be sure. Something I am more than competent at doing all by myself.
On a completely unrelated note, and similarly nothing to do with the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Carter turned 100 today. Holy Sacred Cows! I immediately internalized this to think maybe doing acid, mushrooms, drinking and smoking weed for the better part of my life was not such a good idea - oh well. We can be sure at least Jimmy would have approved of edibles. Not meant in any way to be political, but I think it's ok to give a tip of the glass to Mr. Carter on his 100th birthday. Wow, how did he do it?
On a somber note, wishing the best for the heads in the Southeast US, notably the area North and West of Tampa and in the timbers of Fenario in the backwoods of Appalachia. Lot's of dead freaks and hipsters in general in this part of the world. Some of these towns are going through tremendous once in a thousand-year flooding. Table Rock North Carolina (the town, not the rock) more or less does not exist anymore, and Ashville North Carolina (a sister town of where I currently live) isn't faring much better. What a tragedy, and I feel for them. I live in a flood plain and if I live to be 1,000 this will surely happen to me. When I bought my current house, I brought up flooding. His response was simple. "don't give me any of that al gore shit" I bought it anyway.. happy I did but praying we do not see floods like our brethren down South.
Edit: I can tie the floods into GD. On 4/18/70 at the Family Dog at the Great Highway, Pigpen sang a medley of six songs including The Mighty Flood otherwise known as Tupelo Blues. As for tying Mr. Carter into the GD? Ignoring the obvious (US Blues), how about 7/1/78 Arrowhead Stadium, playing for Willie Nelson's fourth of July soirée. In 1980, Willie stepped out of his room onto the roof of the white house and shared a joint with (?? not such a mystery anymore). Two years earlier the GD played at one of his July 4th parties at Arrowhead Stadium (go Chiefs [except when Baltimore is in town]). This date might be important to Willie as around this time he quit drinking and cigarettes and primarily just did weed. I believe this is tied into an LSD trip he had and I am pretty sure the GD or a dead show was involved. I've done some research and the exact date is never mentioned but it's quite likely it was at this show. I'm sure I could do better, but we certainly did land on a great GD show and there is history on this date. I'll take the win.
That's the best I can do. Keep on keeping on people, the longer I live the more I think the world needs us (or people like us).
Previously on cassette
4-10-78
4-11-78
4-12-78
4-16-78 set 2 (110 min cassette)
They sound way better now.
Have a copy of 4-12-78 vinyl in transit.
Helene....
....yeah. Devastating. The wife and I pitched in $100 to the Red Cross. Something we do from time to time regarding disasters. Feels good.
Billy Strings Highway Prayers arrived today. I love how the booklet looks like a car owners manual due to the fact the album art is muscle car themed. Nice touch.
I was going to play it after the Miami Dolphin game. But I felt obligated to rush him out on the stage. Take a bow Mr. Strings and congrats on your new baby boy.
Highway Prayers....
....absolutely stunning with zero filler over twenty tracks.
Excuse me while I smile wide.
Find Morebud4me. He uses bong rips and lighters as a rhythm. Instant classic.
UK again
FRANK PARRY
Mine has just arrived. It has the same ‘Hold’ message as yours and unusually the same charge. In my case they did hold it until I paid up. I think I have had one delivery where I thought I’d escaped the charges but a bill turned up two weeks later. Now to unpack it.
Edit: Having opened the package I’m surprised Customs didn’t tear it to pieces to see what was hissing inside!
Just Arrived - No. 00345/10000
What a beautiful day!!!
Cheers
G.
Previously on cassette
Don't think you really want to compare them with your cassettes?
Beautiful Box
Finally unboxing and beginning to RIP these discs to file.
I like the size, better than some of the recent box sets. Happy day.
#2355 in Germany
Got my box yesterday. Found it late afternoon in my postbox - paid no taxes and fees. Still ripping the cds now.
Greetings from the Isle of Fehmarn
Taxes
Sales tax here is 6%.
Glad we don’t have VAT, every person who handles it adds value to it.
Low numbers arriving in Europe. They seemed to get their shipping notices first, so maybe the low numbers shipped first.
I was just at the beer store and walked past the import shelf, but forgot to see if the Spaten in Gerd’s photo was here.
They have the Paulaner 1L cans in glass mugs as usual. I have 5 of those mugs so I don’t buy that beer anymore due to no more cupboard space to store.
Those 1L mugs are great for making a giant mojito.