As some other reviewers have said, this show starts off fantastic, and there are plenty of other highlights, but on the whole it's not one of their best. I reject the argument that we shouldn't criticize the quality of a show because we're lucky to have it: all art has to be seen through the viewing lenses of the times you live in, and although having the archive is obviously a good thing, part of what's good about it is you get to develop a taste for what it is about Dead shows you prefer, and we don't just have to get it through the filter of Latvala's preferences and CD-production media logistics. Anyway, I've also never been a big fan of how the sound at this show was mixed. I thought listening to an AUD might soften it somewhat, but even here the bass frequencies and vocals are way too prominent in the mix. Maybe it was the sound system they had at the time, as I find that a lot of 76-78 mixes seem to have the same problem.

best scarlet begonia for me ever

nice balance

great mood

all u nay sayers have no nuts ... either that or you actually are nuts! do you not remember the wonderful feelings inside yourself that were obviously already there and (our friends, the grateful dead ) only helped to conger up, in such a friendly way ... please listen closely to the music uncle jerry went out his way to lay in your lap ... solely for your and his enjoyment ... please stop asking dumb questions, so that maybe we could down to the matter at hand !? it is up to you and myself ... I am simply extending a hand ... let us do the right thing moving forward, which is what brother Garcia had in mind and why he got involved in the first place ... lest we forget ... peace from uncle tony

I think this show was the most psychedelic of the 3 shows .There is something mystical about it..

4-star for an experience, 2 stars for the playing.

Other than the opener, it's a pretty standard '78 show. It starts out strong with the Ollin Arrageed>NFA and slowly drifts downhill. The Scarlet>Fire and Truckin' are among the worst versions I've ever heard- lyrical and musical fuckups abound.

These were Jerry's words from the stage, and judging by the giggles from the audience as Hamza sets the mood people felt the vibe. Get Mark Paytress' book "I Was There-Gigs that Changed the World" for some wonderful insight into these shows, along with great photos. The dead and their entourage arrived four days before their gear. . .four days of copious hash and hot weather before they played a note. Billy's wrist was broken. Phil was especially mellow:-), having travelled back and forth earlier in the year to arrange the shows. The Hard Rock Cafe in Key West has a display of Phil's drawings from Egypt, which were supposed to grace an official release, and they're pretty far out. As for this show, it sounds much better than the 15th, and while the 16th is the gem this is a must-have in my collection. Transcendent run by definition!

I was teaching in Alexandria, Egypt at the time of the concert. It was such a great concert the night I was there. Garcia played extremely well and Bobby Weir was outstanding. The one thing I really remember well is at the start of the concert the moon was in eclipse. The Egyptian Drummers and chanters were performing when the Dead began to play. First the drums and the Phil Lesh came in on bass. Then they moved into their set and blew us all away. During the break, a collegue and I walked up to the stage.
Bill Walton was stretched out on the steps with his broken leg and told us "You can't go up there man." He was truly wasted.
It was a great time and a fantastic concert.

I know theres a lot of back and forth about the pyramid shows...I had to download bc i could just imagine them playing in front of the great scenery. I'm not disappointed that i did...but they really aren't great. WAY too many band tears and dropouts. I don't know if it was their fault or just how well everyone could hear each other, but something was majorly off. The majority of the songs in my mind are painful to listen to. But great to have in the collection for the seldom great moments.

beautiful dead beautiful country what more do you need the first 10 minutes rival alot of shows out there

People think the dead were some flawless jamband, they weren't and given their mindstates in egypt, these shows are especailly good, at least keith was forced to audition for his job and played some sweet synths and you can barely hear donna, and sure they bite it right before the "sun comin up" lyrics in Black Peter, but this show is fine and the sound quality totally tolerable, sounds better than a third of my tapes before i met a taper.....egypt dead pretty stellar

The Pyramids shows are mind-blowers. Never mind these critics round here, we've obviously become spoiled Americans from the mighty, Mighty archive. Download 'em and enjoy them not just for the historical/cultural significance, but for the good old music too. My only question is, why all the different versions of this and some other shows - just different sources? If so, which is "best"? Hey no offense out there, just lighten up and turn it up - its ALL good!

Based on the reviews I have been reading for thi run, I expected a rather sloppy horrible mess. But I was suprised, and I wonder exactly what everyone is really listening to.

For the guys to be half way around the world, with all the challenges that presents, this ain't half bad. The effort is there, and quite a few times they pull off some really good songs. I can't point to one on this show that is inherently bad, and I found myself dancing at my desk quite a few times.

There is a lot of unique playing here, and examples of experimentation I have not heard anywhere else. A noble effort, and nothing to be ashamed of, that's for sure.

That being said, the sound is a little muffled but listenable. There are some unfortunate gaps/cuts, and some untimely fades.

Ultimately, though, I like it!

Though the Egypt shows are certainly must-have's for any Deadhead, it should be noted that the only one that is really up there with other Dead shows (especially from '78) is the last night. The band are undoubtedly having a whale of a time in front of the Pyramids, but as much as I hate to say it, the first two nights are sloppy, below average shows musically. They had intended to release a live album from the Gizah run to cover the cost of the trip, but even the band were not happy enough with the results and the plan was scrapped. I say this just becuase I think a lot of people who have these shows do so because of the novelty factor, but they are not very good examples of what the Dead were capable of.

The mysterious and sacred properties of the Pyramids of Gizah that preserved the Egyptian Kings for eons provided a vortex through which the ancient messages and infinite wisdom of distant sages could be transmitted through the sympathetic vibrations of Hamsa and the Grateful Dead. A land mired in toil and suffering shall bear it no longer. The winds of freedom and liberty are free to sweep the cradle of humanity and the house of Nebucadnezzar and lay to rest her strife-torn struggle born of tyrrants. But there are many who scoff at this joyous time wading knee deep in fear and laying their hands on other's eyes so they may be made cowards and liars and spread falsehood. I, Muhammed have gazed into the future of my homeland with joyful eyes and invite you to do the same. Rot not with the bones of yesterday's sin but lift up your voice in clear choice and discard tyrrants over the land of civilation's cradle into their darkened grave to be swallowed up by the sand. Embrace and dance to the dream born over two centuries ago.

By the way........Jerry finally made it out of the astral plane. He wants to thank all of the Dead Heads for praying for him and helping him to escape the clutches of his own trappings following his passage beyond. He's recuperating and told me to say hello.

Listen to this show and feel the vortex from the unity of your chakras flowing in synch with the ancient vibrations. It's Cool!!!