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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.
24th & Mission....
....there's a McDonald's on one corner and Dance Theatre caddy corner from it....
The Mosque
I'm with Keithfan on this. A superb show. My favorite of the 77 releases. The second set is great too. One of my favorite scarlet/fires, epic He's gone, post drums is golden. Possibly my favorite wheel as well.
I've always been a Star Wars fan...
Anyhow, had to chime in. Still loving this 78 box.
Turn it up!!
Red Rocks and the Mosque
Finished listening to the July box last night -- the best shows to my ears are the odd numbers of 1, 3, and 5 in the box. Was wishing St. Paul was stellar given the terrific set list -- also was hoping for greatness given the amazing 1977 show in St. Paul.
Speaking of 1977, am cranking the Mosque on its anniversary (Peggy-O currently playing and can't wait for Scarlet>Fire, Wharf Rat, and the rest). Brings back fond memories of kicking off of the Dave's Picks series. As much as I like he growl of 1978, nothing compares to the smoothness of 1977. Tight and loose and the year I am most grateful for.
Am super intrigued by the acquisition of these 1978 shows from the owners -- it is so very much appreciated -- would love to hear more of this story of how it all came to be. Am hoping for many more collaborations between the Dead and private owners of soundboards going forward. Here's hoping for the return of Boston, Cornell, and Buffalo to the Dead and the official release of those shows on its 40th anniversary in 2017. And the release of myriad other shows not in the vault . . .
DISSAPOINTED
So my box set came in today, and due to lack of care while shipping the box is basically destroyed, its ripped and creased all over the top where the limited number is...... and i had to pay 30$ shipping and $230 CAD to preorder.... and the shipping box is completely ruined as well... customs covered it in stickers that wont peel without tearing the artwork.. overall a horrible experience i may never order from Dead.net again id rather pay more money then have it show up all fucked
Omaha Civic - Sugaree
Anybody else notice that the first 30-40 seconds of Sugaree (Omaha, NE, disc one, track one) are missing?
Landing...
...And safe landing in the flat lands of East Anglia too!
Ahuuu........ Werevolves of London
Werevolves of London, one of the songs of the shows are the song which our kids here in Duesseldorf, especially in Duesseldorf-Derendorf/Pempelfort are loving most. By the way the kids have told me to greet you and all other deadheads around the world. This is an exciting example how this music can bring people together. :)
Reply To One Man, from Guit30
One Man,You were right,I was wrong. Forget where I got that false info. Anyway, thinking about it, an ambience mike could not make that much difference in the sound. The lack of info on the archival concerts of the Dead do not give much help, Recorded By Betty Cantor, mastered by Jeffrey Norman. That would be fine if it was a studio CD, but a live recording requires someone to do the house feed and monitor feed. Anyway,I have found a list of every released recording on her All Music page. Very interesting, she has mastered a CD for an artist and She produced "Workingman's Dead", The Dead's first big successful CD. Here is the link to her All Music Page.
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/betty-cantor-jackson-mn0000057918/credits
chance.watt
I don't think the store can be blamed for the poor handling by all the shipping partners that touched this in order to get this shipped to another country. The outer box is nice, but it still is intended to be a shipping container. Mine had shipping stickers on it and it did get banged around but I can't expect the shipping box to be shipped in another shipping box. As far a customs placing stickers all over the box, isn't that what the customs service does?That being said, I'm sure the store will take care of anything that arrives damaged (within reason). Just be persistent.
I do feel bad you received a damaged set and I am not trying to downplay what happened. That would piss me off also. I would recommend the store put "fragile" on the shipping box, but most times that just makes it a target for some shipping employee with a bad attitude.
Good luck and I hope you get the damagesd items replaced. Get in touch with customer service and/or Dr. Rhino.
Truckin' not so bad
Read some misgivings about Omaha Truckin'. I've heard worse. It's no Europe '72, but I think it rocks pretty well. The critical part is the "Sometimes the light" chorus; there are a lot of post-hiatus versions where they just flounder on this part, but it's not too bad here. I rocked out without trepidation on this one. The hallmark of a good performance is when I can listen all the way through without any parts where I'm shaken out of the moment by something major, like a flubbed chord, vocal, rough transition, etc. Nothing in this Truckin' shook me, and I enjoyed Jerry The Wolf Garcia's crisp loud riffing and soloing. Most post-hiatus Truckin's leave me wanting.
New fan of '78!
No. 5436 landed in Raleigh, NC last Monday(yes, I am running behind). I am a big fan of 1970 Dead, 1972 Dead, and 1977 Dead(oh yes, and everything between 1972 and 1977). Now I am totally enamored of 1978 Dead! In fact, this box arrived within 10 days of my May 1977 box. So I am in heaven!
Double Dose
play this first https://archive.org/details/gd67-09-04.sbd.partial.jools.19514.19526.sb… then have this ready http://www.dead.net/sites/all/themes/dead2013/jplayer/?url=https://sos2…. pretty cool , wait for sundown and enjoy
re missing part of Sugaree
we are getting "the complete recordings", which is a way of saying it's not all there (kind of like my mind).
When 5/2/70 was released, I found that the opening of St. Stephen was missing. (also, they didn't include Cold Rain and Snow. Waah.)
These must be cases of people turning on the record button a bit late, or the lead-in tape being damaged somehow.
Omaha Sugaree
It sounds like the beginning of some shows from '74. All the instruments weren't turned up at the recording station. Chances are the beginning was a lot of dead air and maybe one instrument till it got corrected. You can hear all the instruments then the vocals getting turned up till Sugaree begins in earnest. You'll have that from time to time.
estimated profit
I find it interesting that this box has made many fall back in love with May 1977. While I only sprung for the stand-alone 7/8/78 show I agree that while the band is definitely fired up, they might be a little too revved up for some tastes. It is kind of like THEY ARE SINGING AND PLAYING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, ESPECIALLY DONNA.
This release has made me really appreciate DaP18 (not that my interest ever waned). I think DaP18 will hold up well over time because it's methodical and deliberate in all the best ways. I'm finding wonderful moments in the disc 3 filler material at the moment but disc 1 is so so good a higher volumes with a focused listen. Oh, and the two jam sequences are unique and well performed.
Day of the Dead is well worth the $30 and all the profits go to a good cause. I think any Deadhead will find it engaging in a similar way to the Circles Around the Sun groove-fest that came out last fall following Fare Thee Well. There are a few (of 59) tracks that are basically fancy karaoke but there are some special moments all throughout and despite what others have said, there is a bit of jamming here and there (Nels Cline of Wilco, c'mon?!). I recall a well-jammed China/Rider by the guy from Pavement, My Morning Jacket/Jim James conjures Jerry on Candyman, and the Cass McCombs treatment of Dark Star that transitions into Nightfall of Diamonds is pretty spacey. In fact it's the completely 'new' arrangements that give the set a bit of life. Truckin is super weird, Uncle John's Band with female harmonies is a whole new vision, and the Shakedown Street is ultra smooth and funky. It's good stuff y'all.
As far as DaP19 and all the clues and hints, I'll take a wild guess that it'll be 1981, maybe something from that European run in the fall??
Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Day of the Dead....
....the doom metal version of Cream Puff War by Fucked Up is very, very.....interesting? I like it....
5/02/70 missing bits
stoltzfus,
Dick actually left off Cold Rain on purpose -- Dave put it in Taper's Section once by popular demand, and...it's pretty awful! I believe Dick said they actually had the missing bit of either Stephen or Candyman (that cuts into Cumberland), but it was audibly garbled.
Will offer my (mostly excited!) thoughts on this box if I can ever arrive home from work with enough brain left to sit and compose....
Halfway through first set Omaha, actually listening in order for a change....
Loving the playful exuberance (then, I love Dick's 25, myself), and Jerry's tone & solos on the first two shows are spectacular. His vocals not so much.
mbarilla...
Ah, I was just kidding. Some of you can tell which version of an audience tape was used to patch a show based on the number of syllables Bolo uses in the first sentence of his post.
DotD Again
I heard more Day of the Dead this week. I was going to say something about how it seems like the art of expression (or perhaps EXPRESSION) seems to be getting lost. How many bands back in the day simply played and sang their asses off? Most of them! Their talents shone through brightly. And so many bands today settle for a static and simply competent arrangement of their songs. The expectations have changed.
But I like what Rosebud said below better. He zeroed in on the positives, and he's not wrong about them. It's a very different flavor from what you got from that first blast of great 1960s bands -- just watch the original Woodstock movie and try to imagine young artists today trying that hard and succeeding that well. That doesn't mean newer attempts are not valid. There is still some danger to be found, even if you have to dig deeper. Thankfully, this GD cover set is spread out over 5 CDs and everyone will find plenty to love there. Even me!
stickered box
Ya, my shipping box was stickered to hell with a hefty $30+ duty, but I got lucky and the boxset is intact. I'm not sure what customs was thinking.
DotD reprise....
....the complete Terrapin Suite is really, really good. Comes with a children's choir and horn/string section for your enjoyment! Y'all should consider picking it up. And no, I do not work for 4AD....but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night....
....or you could try before you buy https://youtu.be/qPdoWp-PHFU
Happy birthday Miles
Listening to Miles in the Sky. Herbie and Tony Williams stand out to me.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31r1f6d7zhA
Almost wrote 5-26-72 on something at work today. I must have E72 on my mind because in years past it would have been 5-26-73.
Abridged
Yeah, so I clearly suck at hitting save. So you get the shorter version of yesterday's post.
Still baffled by the love for this release and for DaP18. Yup, they are good. I am just not blown away by either. An earlier post seemed equally confused by the comparison to to 77. To me, that is the essence. We all have our favorite years. Listening to all these releases side by side, a year prior and a year later, simply validates how good the band was in the Spring of 77.
And to Keith. How the hell did you come up with that connection on DaP1 to Star Wars? Well done. Who cares if you are right. Just awesome. It used to be my least favorite cover of all the releases. After that analogy, it is now my second to last favorite.
Back to 77. Never subscribed to the first year. Happened to be reading online one day and came across a post, blog, whatever. The story gets kinda fuzzy and some have probably read/heard it. A son discovers his father's tape collection after dad's passing. The son releaizes notes written on the inserts of each tape. When he comes to the Mosque tape, he notices "Best" scribbled next to S>F.
So I buy the disk.
Yup. "Best."
As for D.O.D. A couple of cool songs. Not much else. The Terrapin in the church was very well done. Watched the Dew cover on Colbert. Flat. Was completely missing "pieces of flair."
Oh yeah. I forgot why I initially posted. Thanks for the offer reij029. But, I am good on the remainder of the box. I purchased it for 10/12/84 alone. The only reason that I listened up to 87 was that we were fortunate enough to attend that show too. Went to Oxford next year also. Hell of a party, but the disk stays in the case.
Good luck to the Sharks.
Am I the only one....
....who thinks the first night at Red Rocks was/is better than 7.8? Granted, I was doing other stuff during the first spin of the second night. 7.7 had my full and a bit inebriated attention. The Eyes was/is fantastic. I'll revisit 7.8 soon enough. Perhaps the pomp exceeded the circumstance. We'll see. Arrowhead is the crown jewel so far, followed closely by 7.7. Subject to change of course....that show sounded really fun....
....July '78 saw the peak of Werewolves. Looove both takes....
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 !! ???
Re: Dave is Kidnapped Rumors
Kidnapped, maimed by sea lions while filming seaside chats? I am beginning to think you might be on to something.
So what are we seeing on the bayside chats? Animatronic Dave or a Paul McCartney-type transplanted imposter? (assumes the Paul is Dead rumors are true).
__________________________
As for box hyperbole.. I am through the first four shows and like this a lot. I had a five hour drive last night alone.. which allowed me to get through 7/7 and give highlights of the other three shows a second listen.
There are some really high moments here, I especially like both Estimated's and the transition from Estimated > TOO from 7/1 a lot. I would be curious to what our Estimated Prophet PHD's out there think..
I also beginning to notice more of the '78 blues that did not catch my attention on the first listens. Miscues, flubs and some inconsistency to the performances. I guess my ears can be blind to some of this, as the wart factor is overshadowed by good recordings and three new (to me) shows rescued from the ravages of time.
I guess I see all points mentioned, I am not disagreeing with anyone.. still very pleased with this box and enjoying some fresh and very spirited interpretations and jams.
Weighing all factors.. I think the hype is deserved.
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...
Kidnapped
I am thinking he may have been, his picks usually have a ton of X-Factor, I think he was put to task on this complete set by the Rhinos who really like 1978
Off to Dark Star Jubille shortly - and for the ride it will be 7.7.78 ! Schwing
Last time I saw Dark Star Orchestra play was right before Complete July announcement and they played 5.13.78 , I think that was a nice hint of what was soon to come. Fest opens with Melvin Seals and DSO celebrating the Jerry Garcia Band music and then The Wailers , that's what I call a happy hour
Someone mentioned the video of Dave L in den and Betty stash from a glance
Did you see 6.22.73 or 12.15.71 in that stack ?
DS Jubille
Jealous.. Great lineup, looks to be a hoot. That one is within' range for me and I have buddies going.
I am trying to store up some good karma in what is left in this life so in the next life I can come back as a trustafarian and catch more shows...
Phil at the Cap
Anyone going this weekend? Haven't seen him there yet - looking forward to the show tonight. Great way to kick off a long weekend!
mbarilla, visibility minimal
I, HF, mentioned seeing the blues tape containers in the plastic tubs in the "Making of.. 78" vid by Dave...
No close-ups, no legible writing on tape cases, no answers.
But many blue tape cases...
And keep in mind that the MG stash, DL said, has a complete, unknown show (I think 70-71 timeframe might have been mentioned), and more returned tapes exist from the 'dead soundman' stash, plus more Betty storage locker drama to come.
Plus, I'm pretty sure they used whatever they had in terms of early footage and some early audio for the documentary that could drop this summer. Then DaP 19, 20 and a small fall box?
The element of surprise is on Dave's side. After listening to the two Rocks shows in coming weeks, then Jer band July '73, it's a big break for this boy til August/DaP 19.
"more Pigpen era soon, pretty please..."
Yes, yes, bring back the grease! That'd be 1970-71, with a heavy emphasis on spring '71.
The ghost of forensicdoc just smiled...
my opinion
7/8 and 7/7 are both great. 7/8 wins for sheer over-the-topness, performance and setlist wise. The first set rocks. The second set glows. The "encore" is a mini-third set: Terrapin OMSN WWoL.
I will keep both of them, regardless.
"If you will suck my soul, I will lick your funky emotions."
10 post-it notes to whoever correctly identifies where that quote is from.
Hey Stoltzfuz!
Fly on baby!
and
If you don't like the effect, don't produce the cause
and
If you ain't gonna get it on, take your dead ass home!
and
Shit! Goddamn! Get off your ass and jam!
69-78 they were pluperfect... America Eats It's Young is my absolute favorite, but every other record in that timespan is my second favorite!
Tear The Roof Off
You can be my dogAnd I'll be your tree
You can pee on me
Laughing at ya!
Mommy, What's a Funkadelic?
stotzfus...I'll happily take you up on your generous offer of 10 post-it notes! I hope they are the super duper high tech kind, you know the kind that are yellow and sticky??
Also enjoyed some more background on the Star Wars discussion and origin/artist from DaP 1. Still love that cross over.
Took another listen to 7/3/78 on the drive-in, and found that Peggy 'O to potentially rival my favorite from 4/16/78. It seems both the versions in this box are pretty darn solid.
On the Eve of Summer Kickoff...I hope and trust All have a fantastic and safe one. And that there is a GD soundtrack for you out there to herald the coming of Summer '16.
Sixtus
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