Oh my, I'm just hearing this for the first time. Damn, how I wish Jerry just kept going with that opening riff for for an eternity. Simply beautiful. And the driving, energetic, almost urgent finish... Wow. Just wow.

All the shows
All the experiences
They will last for Eternity
The force this group produced is beyond
I’m old I was old when I was young enough to dance when they played
Ancient now 80
No more dancin
Holy smokes
Never thought this music & lifestyle would be such a big part of my life
Devine Creator
I’m so thankful to have been at so many shows
Peace
No war
No hate

IMHO this is the best Terrapin, sure Jerry forgets a verse, but that was the rule rather than the exception. The outro is intense genius, carrying on without a comma into OMSN where Bob left it all on stage and then some.

I love Jerry's vocals on Werewolves of london, never heard him scream like that. Awesome show real tight and crisp.

Given that IMHO the tightest shows of 78 are right in the beginning of the year especially the West Coast tour.
Also by Location- expectations thru the roof.
To me the band really nails it on this night!
Lyrics are given extra attention
which seems to drive the music to a mile high summit. Also always like how the band uses ballads to keep things from getting overheated. Samson burns, Ship cools..
Red Rocks is such a sweet place for a show it is almost unfair to go see a concert in a hockey arena or Stadium after the experience.
After the 3rd day at Red Rocks in 85.
I started going to a lot of Rainbow Gatherings
because I realized I was connecting not only to GD
but I was also influenced by the hand of GOD on nature.
There are geometric patterns in Nature which lets me know that the falling leaf was designed to fall.
Donna Jean some pretty augghs during Estimated.
Flashback- I got out of the underground N.Y.C Subway one night in Astoria, Queens. The morning sky was smiling at me. So I called that 'the smiling faces of dawn'
One time in Saugerties, N.Y.
I was being chased by some peckerheads
Could have sent a rather large boulder down on them.
But an invisible hand perhaps a voice said NO.
Pretty strange cause i was really pissed off,
Anyway, all those experiences led me to wonder if there was something behind my religious upbringing?
Wow, that entry into The OTHER ONE is scary good.
Yet, I observed my religion was useless in the sense that it did not, nor could it make me right before The Almighty.
Weir tears into the Other One's vocals with Donna egging him on "Coming around"
But ,so the only thing I knew about GOD is/was God could not be like you or me.
In no way could God do anything wicked or evil.
God must by definition be HOLY!
So I know that I am neither right nor just.
As much as i would like to delude myself.
But, having lived a hard life.
Having gone thru the Book-broken each and every law.
I know that a Holy God kept me at arms length.
Probably so HE didn't just kill me in righteous anger.
"Oh, Lord deliver me, from all the wrong i've done."
In my time of dyin'-Led Zep
Wow, pretty cool drop into EYES. I have to say I really love how EOTW sounded during 77/78 almost as pristine as those 73 versions.
(Maintain a train of thought listening to a tight show).
So, The whole Grateful Dead scene was my home and to some extent The Rainbow Family
all while taking 9.5 years to get the undergrad degree.
I came to look at things differently during those years.
I guess the line, "typical city involved typical daydream' pretty much summed up my view of society.
I kinda got so far out that I needed a reality check and for me that was the U.S. Army (not recommended for everyone) So I go in and just everything changes suddenly and quickly. I do O.K. with the military.
Not like soldier of the year, but a little balance.
Jerry passes in 95 and I decide to move to Florida
I meet my wife she is a Head but younger, her 1st show was Tampa 95- so i enjoy sharing my love for the band with her. We have a son and life is good. We move to Yellow Springs, Ohio after living up in Asheville, N.C.
As soon as we get to Ohio find out she has a malignant brain tumor. (We didn't get it at the time but basically a death sentence.)
So who comes along but a man of God who proclaims the Gospel to me. He preaches Christ and Him crucified. Still groking with the total implications of that news when planes start crashing into the Twin Towers.
Strange thing about all this was the Preacher took me into his home and his life. We went around Ohio as he preached in small churches around the State.
I don't know how many of you have read the Bible but book of the Law (Torah) is near impossible to keep and Jesus comes and raises the bar even higher.
Well, with everything going on in the world both personal and international. and me reading a Book that was like a mirror showing me all of my shortcomings and flaws.
Also raising a 3 year old without his mother and my wife.
I laid it on the line. Jesus, I am at the end of my rope here. Please, help me.
I can't say life got any better for a long time.
And i have learned that circumstances change.
Life is what happens while we were busy making plans.
I use to think I chose Jesus and really that is what many of the church crowd believes they made a decision for Jesus.
But when I look back I can see how The Almighty loved me even when i was at the bottom.
You know if nobody ever died .
I guess we could just go on living our lives
like this for eternity
but the Bible says "It is appointed for a man once to die, and then comes the judgment"
So i would hope everyone will consider that each of us has to give an account. ie-Reckoning
Scripture says if we go to the grave without Jesus then we are lost. There is no payment for the debt owed to a Holy GOD. It is a terrible prospect and it is the fate of so many.
Yet, if we believe Christ and His claim to have paid the debt for our sin then we will spend eternity in heaven.
We will still give an account of our lives
but our trespasses are forgiven. (Nothing but the blood)
Anyway, lots of missionaries out there going to and fro all over the earth. bringing this message.
So I want to share this with whoever might hear.
Cause GOD does look down on the boys in the barroom
Thanks-Chris Freedom
I finished that right at "I know that the life I am living is no good."
Very powerful Wharf Rat the band is hanging on Garcia's lyrics during the quiet part of the song.
Wow, what a place for Franklin's!
Always liked this tune especially after drums.
I remember they did that on Dead Set/ Radio City
Oh what a great transition into Sugar Magnolia.
Dancin fools a mile high!
3 encores. Somebody from the Park Service
must have given them the Green Light
Terrapin, OMSN, Werewolves (all well played)
"DRAW BLOOD".

yesterday downloaded 7/7. had 10 minutes to fill so reviewed 7/8. wharf rat jumped out so I used it as my 7/7 encore. good decision, don't you think? why hasn't jerry done that before? I have downloaded over 900 shows. clearly best ever. some people don't like best ever comments but I think it applies here. accurate reviews are important, the 1 star moron now holds the new record for stupidest review of all time. back to work. 7/8 awaits!!! I'm giving it 5 stars for wharf rat alone. tonite's 80 minute GD hour should be interesting. .

I have long been obsessed with some of the other worldly leads Jerry conjures up as I am sure we all are. This version of Wharf Rat has been one I have loved and listened to over and over. This guitar riff and intro from the band I would put on par with Beautiful Jam as just sublime on another plane. Like Beautiful Jam I always wondered its origins and why there was no other trace of it beyond Red Rocks. I was just listening to Ollin Arageed from Rocking the Cradle and I am fairly certain we are hearing the beginnings of this mystical Middle Eastern exploration. Have a listen on You Tube and then listen to this intro and prepare to blow your mind. Also let me know if you guys think Im right!

I am just stunned by the sweet intro Jerry does on Wharf Rat - right after Phil's little riff, Jerry plays the sweetest, most delicate and perfectly phrased line (ok, one missed note).

Out of curiosity, I checked a lot of the Wharf Rats in 77 and 78 and in ALL of them, they began Wharf Rat with the standard chords into the verses.

This is a great example of how special this show was, but also an example of how unique and inspired Jerry was - there were a lot of Wharf rats, and yet when he was inspired he could throw in a totally unplanned and spontaneous riff into song,
bringing it new life! Check it out!

And also notice the tonal texture Phil adds - play it loud and imagine being there - this was what was so special about the Dead live.

I just bought the new July 1978 box, which includes this show. I'm pretty sure the set list and playing and singing are all good or better, but can't break the spell cast by the sound quality to be sure. The production is exquisite!

Damn Jerry with the coke lol turned you baby voice
especially with ship of fools

I love it when they mix up the song sequences, like dropping a hot Other One into what would otherwise be a garden-variety '78 Estimated>Eyes. That along with the good sound gets 4 stars from me. (I'm a pretty tough grader when it comes to handing out 5 stars.)

I was taken completely by surprise when tears came to eyes during the Roses solos. Just beautiful. Overall great energy and really clean recording.

Man, remember cassette days? Happy to have an A- of a show... The sound on this one is near the best I've heard. Lots of interesting band chatter in there too. I agree with an earlier poster LOUD is the way to hear this show. The powerful vocals and emotional playing must've had people levitating in the darkening sky- "I'll get up and flyyyy!". I hear a lot of psychedelic toying thats obviously different while hearkening back to 67-68. I'm not a fan of every decade from GD but I'm sure glad they didn't settle in and play the same way for 30 years!

This is the best show of 1978, and the best post retirement show the GD played. this show contains the definitive Terrapin.

The Deal in particular, but hot damn it's Mother's Day ! Wow Mom

This is a response to ggergm's post about the werewolf mask - I remember one too!

This show definitely went above and beyond the musical into the spiritual.....

These were the first shows at Redrocks. Friday Nighty was puntuated by distant lightning shooting from cloud to cloud out over the Eastern horizon. Saturday Night had a huge party Atmosphere that had Weir asking the people who had climbed high up on the surrounding flatirons ot come down before it got dark

I think the band was mesmorized on Friday and Staurday as you can hear was seriously fun with Jerry ham it up on vocals and everyone really in sync

This show sounds great. amazing audio quality and grate playing.
Dont let the "Dude's" review turn you off to this show. You can tell he already has preconceived notions about a show, and if its on a certain date, or its cloudy, or he has a hangnail or whatever, that means its not gonna be a good show.
Listen to the show and judge for yourself. Its quite good

I know reviews are subjective but don't listen to negative people who give nice shows like this two stars. These are the kind of people who go through life thinking that they know everything and everyone else is wrong and inferior. I've never listened to this particular recording. I grabbed the Charlie Miller and it sounds so sweet.

I'm trying to get into '78-'79 Dead, as I am woefully unfamiliar with this period. I listened to these 2 Red Rocks shows after reading in numerous places that these were among the best, if not THE best, shows of 1978. I must say in this case the hype is actually deserved. I haven't really been too impressed with most of the 1978 I've heard (anyone got any good suggestions?) but Jerry is just redonkuluous this evening. His guitar just sings all night and even though his voice has sounded better on many a night, damn if he doesn't give it 110% on the vocals this night. It's almost like he's singing extra hard on some tracks because he knows his voice is a little off, or something. Can someone tell me when Keith's supposed "de-evolution" starts taking place? Because he is sick on this show, really on fire. I've read that towards the end of his time with The Dead that Keith began going totally downhill. If that's true I haven't heard that show yet, because Keith & Jerry still sound good together here. The 1st set is all good songs and each one extremely well-played. This 2nd set has to be one of the top-5 of this year. Just incredible. The jamming from Estimated all the way through Sugar Magnolia is too good for words, honestly I can't even describe it. I have both this and 7/7 if someone wants to do a B&P or trade hit a brotha up.

So aside from this being an epic show, i noticed a funny thing about this Good Lovin'. After they revived it in 76' with Bob on lead vocals, the 76-77 versions generally have the original instrumental lead in jam from the old days. As 78' came in, the band phased out the intro jam sans a new arrangement, to make the song poppy like Bob's version turned into.

Despite this show being well after they generally abandoned the intro jam, Phil seems inspired (hey, what musician wouldn't be playing at Red Rocks?) and nostalgic and brings back the intro jam on a heavy bass-wrought lead. Bob is not having it, he tries to segue into the vocals at least twice before Phil allows the song to continue. Lots of little surprises and extra effort would become commonplace of the boy's Red Rocks performances, but this two day run, their first at the Rocks, is so damn well played. We already know this however, so i just thought i'd share that funny observation.

you can always have whatever time you want
you can always have a good time
you can always have a bad time
welcome to your very own world!

Let me put it this way, It Must Have Been The Roses, a song that normally has me diving for the skip button had me transfixed. It's all about the delivery, and boy do the Dead deliver. Jerry's vocals are especially impassioned. Check out Ship Of Fools, he goes for the jugular. Jerry isn't the only one singing with abandon, Donna forgets to use her "indoor" voice on several occasions (youch) and emotionally Bobby's right with her and Jerry. It's not just about the vocals though, Jerry's guitar lines dance in the Estimated> Other One> Eyes and soar during Wharf Rat. Phil, Bobby et al are dancing and soaring right along too with the Grateful Dead group mind very much in evidence. The more I listen the better it gets. Though I can't say this show is my favorite of '78, that may be either be 4/12 or 1/22 and the Dick's Picks Vol. 18 pastiche of 2/03 and 2/05. I can say it's one of the best of the year and well recorded/mixed to boot. It demands to be played loud. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I often still take the stub out of its display and touch the ticket stub while I listen to the two RR shows it's magical. The stub is on display by the entrance to my sanctuary. Just an unforgettable experience. First time I met Jerry and the band. So cool, ice.

I have to agree with the guy that said El Paso was a good version here. I live in Texas and have to hear El Paso by Marty Robbins in every elevator shaft I've climbed out of. I'm not a big of Bob tunes, nor of El Paso. But this one is the one, I think. Please let me know if you another one that is better at walygatr@gvtc.com

I've heard it and know it's 5 stars. Any reason why I can't stream it (or am I too fucking stupid in the kind words of that fellow deadhead who obviously learned a lot from being at shows).

How does one download this? It doesn't show the mp3 icon...

im not personally a huge fan of 78...but this and the night before are good shows.....not the best of all time....certainly not the worst(1/28/87 takes that honor IMHO).....Estimated through Franklin's is the section that i come back to the most....first set is fine but not better than average......terrapin is my #2 fav. version

Dont leave a 1 star review because your too fuckin stupid to realize you cant download this. Has nothing to do with the quailty of this show.

I'm not a big fan of this show. I was pretty stoked to listen to it but I was very disappointed.

The sound quality is fine but the bad sounds really off. Donna is at her worst and the rest of the band just seems too stoned to play well.

The 2nd set is definitely better than the first with The Other One through Franklins Tower being the best part of the show, but even the nice string of songs is poorly played.

There are so many other great shows available that you shouldn't waste your time with this one. Anything from '69 to '77 is better than this.

TO A DUDE, WHAT WERE YOU LISTENING TO? THERE IS NO ST. STEPHEN PLAYED AT ALL IN THE TWO NIGHTS AT RED ROCKS IN 78. AS PER THE SHOW THE ONLY DRAWBACK IS THE WAY IT IS SPLITUP. IT IS A SHAME YOU CAN NOT HERE THE WAY THEY SEGWAY INTO NOT FADE AWAY. LET ALONE ANY OF THE OTHERS.

This has to be one of the clearest, cleanest, sweetest soundboards I've heard. Bertha starts with smoke and after that is all fire. Franklin's cooks and Terripan is a treasure. Sound is a 6, set and playing are a 5 all the way. Kick back and smile, smile, smile.

This has always been one of my favorite, crunchy shows. First set doesn't get much attention on my player. But set two is as intense as '78 gets. Tell me: How many times have the dead did Prophet>O1>Eyes? Listen to the Wharf Rat to hear how intense this is. The Drum solo/Space is killer. Space especially. This needs to be a dicks pick! How about view from the vault?

I agree with a previous review that a 4 is a high rating for a show. The first part is weaker, worth a 3, mainly because of the vocals (Ship of Fools may be the low point). For 5-star first sets in a 1978 show, listen to May 10, 1978, for example.

Here, the second set is 5-star material, and the audience must have been thrilled with the encore.

If this is not a five star show and sound, I really have no f***ing idea what one is. I totally and unconditionally disagree that the first "part" of this show is weak. The Ship of Fools is great. The vocals are upfront, just like any other SBD from 1972 on. I think it's pretty evident that the Dead were psyched to be doing their first shows at red rocks.

wow man, sounds like your comments are stuck with issues that have everything to do with social issues "30 years ago" and nothing to do with just listening to the music play.

these two shows are some of the most inspired playing I've heard in '78, and for that, it gets a high rating from me.

If I were a dude reviewing this show, and I was on CRACK, I might not have such a good review. However, since that is not the case, I must say that this show is on fire, as red hot as the rocks the boys are playin in.

This show ranks #12 in Deadbase's tape ranking, and with very good reason (I'd give it extra stars for this review if I could). Recording quality is terrific, the set list is phenomenal, and Jerry is ON in a big way for both vocals and lead. EVERY TUNE shines with extra effort on his part. And the band is having as much fun as the audience. I can't imagine that you won't find yourself smiling and laughing along as you listen... ENJOY!!!

Btw, an extra note regarding the night before (7/7/78): just finished giving it a thorough listening, and IT IS JUST AS KILLER a show for the same aforementioned reasons!! IMHO, the two shows combine for one of the best runs I've ever heard (and the other reviews seem to be in full agreement). Quite a few people may have been put off by the "splitter technique" note in the recording notes or by a relatively simplistic set list; DO NOT MISS OUT ON DOWNLOADING BOTH OF THESE SHOWS! Just wait until you hear the first night if you haven't already... TURN UP THE VOLUME FOR FULL EFFECT!

**(Responding to the very negative review from "A Dude": yes, every fan has their favorite years and their own subjective standards for what comprises a 5-star Dead show and is more than welcome to voice their opinion. But anyone considering AGAINST downloading this show would be well advised to make an informed decision and peruse ALL of the previous reviews for this show!)**

I listened to this show all the way through.

Wow, it's amazing how much difference there is in people's perception of music

I should have been a little suspicious, given the many comments in Archive reviews of other shows about the "great vocals", and about all the wonderful Set One songs, and the weirdest one of all "a great setlist".

I remember 30 years ago, that everyone was waiting for Garcia to forget a line or two of lyrics, because that ensured a great show! Set One was a time for the band to warm up, and for the audience to spread their blankets, distribute the goodies, go to the WC, etc. Songs were there simply as a starting point, "Mary Had A Little Lamb" could have the most amazing improvisational jamming, while "Dark Star" could be a perfunctory bridge to some other song.

It sounds like some people were looking for the Rolling Stones or something - hearing those studio songs in a live setting ??

Now, on to this show. Back 30 years ago, Deadheads looked at the tour announcements and stayed away from any show on Saturday night. It was well known that automatically meant a "date night concert", and the Dead would play all the standards in a boring way that would please Average Joe who had heard Truckin on the radio and wanted a concert to go to with his date.

After I listened through the hours of uninspired perfunctory performances of this show, I made a mental note to do a web search for "1978 Calendar" and sure enough, this show was Saturday Night.

The one description of this show I can give that describes it best is that it sounds like a Dead Cover Band. This is clearest when they start singing "St Stephen" and it comes out like "St Stephen - hey remember that classic from our younger days - I bet you do - hey wow it's St Stephen, okay ?" It seems unbelievably self conscious and self-referential.

What is a little frightening is the guy who uses this as a "conversion tape"! Before reading that, I was thinking this show would be the sort of show that confirms people's impressions that the GD were a "laid back cowboy western band for stoners".

I've attended as many shows as possible between 1974 and 1989 and so attended many more shows after 1975.

However, listening to this show confirms my decision to only download shows before 1976.

Please NOTE: This is music, it is very subjective, and this is my opinion only - if you enjoy this show, that's a positive thing - please continue to do so.

... but please give people "One From The Vault" as a "conversion tape", not this one! :) :)

I'm a Bertha fan, and this shows Bertha opener is amazing! Aside from that, well... This show has got it all. On FIRE
A few time it doesn't seem very techically great, but at those time the energy is too high to even notice.

You know, if you want a nice little sampling of one of Jerry's many fine live Werewolves of London numbers - you may enjoy the encore which was tossed up this evening several years in our past.

RedSoxFan is DEAD on......WOW! This is insane......

Sox fan 2.....guess we'll give them a mulligan this year....

I don't know... I don't like titles like 'Best Show' or whatever, I prefer 'favorite' over 'best' because these things can be so subjective. That being said, this is easily in my top 5 favorite Dead shows of all time. Man are they ON! Especially in set 2, just BLAZING... I call this my conversion show. Anytime someone says 'I don't like the Dead' I play this. I tell them if this doesn't get you into them than NOTHING will. The Wharf Rat -> Franklin's -> Sugar Mag is worth the download alone! And a previous reviewer is dead on - the previous night is smokin' too... Just a fantastic show in every sense. Playing and sound quality are Fantastic. Do NOT miss out on two truly incredible shows. I would give this 10 stars if I could!

this entire show rocks. donna sucks ass throughout, though. during sugar mag i kind of want to throw something at donna because that is when she was most audible... and i agree with the "shh"(which was pretty damn funny, BTW). all the other reviews seemed pretty damn accurate to me... esp est.>TOO>Eyes =)=)=)=) this eyes is damn DAMN damn DAMN good!!

Just started listening to this for the first time...Bertha is still on and the hairs on my arms are standing up from Jerry's solo. Wow. Hope the rest of the show smokes.

Monster pissed. Falls into everyones top 10, depending on when they obtained it. Enjoy!

I looked through the other reviews to see if I was the only one and I found at least one other note about this but... This is a reallly sweeet Wharf Rat.

Other one>eyes is ridicoulously long and hot.... I could smell the sweat, pichouli, and freshly harvested sens when I heard this all over again. Phil gets an honorable mention on this as you can hear when Jer is ready to wind it down and he just keeps thumpin. Listen to the riff at starting at 5:30, Jerry just crushes it...Donna also gets a star, Keith - they are all in perfect harmony.

In many ways this is more '77 than '78 and you can hear how psyched they are for Egypt in the fall. Last stop was Giants Stadium which has a blazing scarlet>fire... Cap Theatre is good, Shrine and Nassau 1/7/79 get close but their fate was sealed the working relationship with Donna and Keith was disintegrating. Not sure what happened over there but that was the end. Not to get philosophical but you can not hear any of those bad vibes anywhere on this - This blazing hot '77-78 at it's finest and the end of an era.

BY FAR, THE BEST SHIP OF FOOLS. JERRY SOUNDS REALLY SWEET BOTH NIGHTS. RECORDINGS GREAT.

I was lucky enough to be there for both nights. I was only 13 years old, and what a High time. Back then, they would open up the park in the morning, so you didn't have to wait until 5:00pm to get in like they do today. The weather was perfect, people were mingling around just having a good time. You could smell BBQ being cooked backstage...... The CD is good, so you can just imagine what it was like to be there. (front row/stage right/ both nights!)

I have had this show on tape for years now and it has always been one of my favorites. Before I found LMA I actually transfered my tape so that I could listen to it at work and elsewhere. Unbelievable performances throughout, but I am surprised that no one has mentioned that Wharf Rat is unfinished. Not that I am knocking it, I have just always thought that was interesting.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE... THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST SHOW I'VE HEARD!!!! I agree with (BONK) CORNELL???? sure it's a good show, BUT THIS IS FABULOUS. I cannot take it out of my C.D. player. Estimated > Other One--- HOLY MOLEY.. THIS IS THE BEST OTHER-1 THE BEST WHARF RAT. EVERYTHING>>>>> TRIPLE ENCORE??? TERRAPIN.. SAT. NITE.. WHEREWOLVES.... I LOVE IT. THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF MUSIC...

This is a pretty crazy statement....THIS IS THE BEST GD SHOW.THATS RIGHT!For all of you who love 77 and think that 77 is sacred,listen to this.For this one day in 1978,the boys were just so"ON".The X factor(7-12-90,2-14-68,8-26-72).WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

all 3 nights are great, but take a look at the post space set list on this one and tell me you're not licking your chops. It's as good as it looks.This is a keeper.

I listened to this for hours on end.... New Minglewood blues is excellent. The quality of the show is one of the best. Probably one of my favorites...

Good Lovin' is awesomeeeee... im in awwwwwwwww

I have had this show for many a year, and always enjoy listening to it. Highlites are Deal (though donna seems to get a little loud) and wherewolves. Great show give it a listen.

Of my 100+ shows, this was the best Grateful Dead concert I saw. Enough has already been said by other reviewers about the songs and this download's wonderful sound quality, so I'll stick to details not told by the tape.

It was a glorious evening with no rain and a perfect view of Denver from the top of the venue. I wandered around for this show and ended up at one point arm-in-arm with a group of strangers, singing along with them on Ship of Fools. There was a considerable break before the Terrapin encore, with the promoter (Barry Fey?) coming out to tell us to relax while the band literally caught its breath, unaccustomed as they were to the altitude. There was a shorter break before Werewolves of London, and I still swear that at least Weir came back out wearing a mask.

If only such nights would come again...

Following the RR riot at a '69 Tull/Zepplin show no electric rock-n-roll was allowed at the Rocks..until this run...this run marked the return of rock-n-roll to the most special venue in the US..this sound better than what I had..save this stream..

The first solo on Estimated absolutely rips.
I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but theres a glitch or a cut in the 10th minute of the Eyes thats a real buzz kill.

I've looked for this show for ages. Years ago I heard a really crappy tape, but could tell the playing was inspired by the terrific surroundings. A beautiful Estimated>Other One>Eyes, but it's the Wharf Rat that really makes me smile. WOW Rockin' for sure.
Without any hesitation, definitely a five-star show. Truly Awesome!!!

Ultimate.

Donna really takes it out on Deal.

This is, far and away, my favorite Grateful Dead tape/CD. I first listened to this tape in the Fall of 1979 while a third year at UVa. I'm pretty sure we were on the way to a Molly Hatchet/Outlaws concert at the Cap Centre in Landover, Md. Anyway, I had sworn my allegiance to hard rock and disavowed any partiality at all for the Dead, even though the guys I hung around seemed to consist of quite a number of Dead Heads.

I think we listened to the 2nd set of this concert continuously on the way home from that concert. What struck me then and still strikes me today is the enormous energy level present in the 2nd set. But let's start at the beginning.

Set 1 begins innocently enough with a Bertha-> Good Lovin' romp, which is spot on. Two "cowboy songs" follow -- first Jerry enjoys a fairly rare electric Direwolf, followed by one of my favorites in this genre -- El Paso. One thing I'll say about the Direwolf is that if you listen to Donna you can kind of understand why they cut the Godchaux's (keyboard player Keith and wife, background vocalist Donna) loose from the ensemble around this time as she is pretty much off key throughout. One thing I'll say about El Paso is if you listen to Jerry's lead guitar on this one, you get a sense that he is "on" this particular evening.

Two rare "roses" songs (It Must Have Been the Roses and Ramble on Rose) sandwich a New Minglewood Blues in the middle of Set 1. They end with a pretty common pair: Promised Land and Deal, but the two don't really connect, as Deal pretty much starts from scratch at the conclusion of Promised Land.

Set 2 opens with Samson & Delilah and another favorite that you don't hear that much -- Ship of Fools. So far this concert hasn't really distinguished itself -- I won't say pedestrian, as the playing and singing has certainly been fine so far. And the song selection has included a few treats. But starting with Estimated Prophet, the 2nd set of this show basically takes on a life of it's own. A high energy, rock & roll romp that really defies the senses. Never again after listening to this set would I think of the Dead as anything other than a great, great, great American rock & roll band.

Estimated segues into The Other One, which is not long, but rolls along with Lesh and Jerry leading the way. The transition into Eyes of the World is amazing. Jerry is on a roll. This version of Eyes is a favorite of mine. It rivals the 9/3/77 Englishtown, NJ version featured on Dick's Picks #15 in intensity as Jerry alternately transitions from chopping to floating in butterfly-like fashion during the lead jams. The folks in attendance must have certainly felt as if they were getting their money's worth at this point!!

Drums and space (I have been known to omit drums/space to the horror of some taper friends of mine) is nice and compact this evening, lasting about 14 minutes. At the end of the space, Donna adds some nice background vocals to the proceedings. The space transitions into an absolutely breathtaking version of Wharf Rat. Wharf Rat is my favorite Dead song, and this is my favorite version -- hands down. It is unlike any other version of Wharf Rat that exists -- very unique. It's a rather hard rock version of this Robert Hunter-penned ballad. Jerry's "Ssshhh" in the middle of the "back on my feet someday" refrain is priceless! The transition from Wharf Rat to Frankin's Tower (the only time I know of that these two standards have been paired up?) is exciting, and the Franklin's Tower is a raging jam throughout. It was not often that the Dead pulled out Franklin's Tower AFTER drums/space. Beautiful guitar work by Jerry. It should be noted that Bob Weir lays down exquisite rhythm throughout this set as well. Sugar Magnolia is another delight. Again, very high energy. The energy peaks as they finish off with the Sunshine Daydream portion of the tune and the loud finish is appropriate for the best, hard-rocking Dead that exists -- at least in the post "retirement" (1974-75) era.

Perhaps realizing that they somewhat shortened the post-drums/space portion of the show, or perhaps nor knowing what else to play after that incredible Rat -> F Tower -> Sugar Mag sequence, the group decides to do a rare Terrapin encore. Even the volume seems lower for this epic tune. The energy soon returns as the encore turns into a double encore (usually reserved for special occasions) segueing into One More Saturday Night where the entire band just basically goes off for five minutes straight. Not quite done yet, they answer a second curtain call with the then-popular Warren Zevon tune Werewolves of London. You can tell they are having a good time doing this tune. Disc 3 of this set needs to be listened with rapt attention and at maximum possible volume! Enjoy!!

This show is special for many reasons.
1)The quality of this recording surpasses ANY recording I've ever heard. The second best recording I ever heard is the night before. You got to be kidding!! Jerry's voice is like wallpaper stuck to your ears .....C'MON!! If you're having a problem understanding any of the lyrics, this is your show(s).
2)The setlist is tremendous, especially set 2. The fact they squeeze Other1 in between Estimated & Eyes is amazing in itself. Then to come out of Wharf Rat into my favorite Franklin's is so sweet!.....AND the best Werewolves you'll ever hear finishes off a ridiculous Red Rocks weekend. Don't believe me....D/L any song and judge for yourself.
3. Jerry's playin is EXTREMELY inspired. I mean give a listen to his vocals on any song. Bertha...Ramble....and especially Eyes and Franklin's. He doesn't want to leave the stage, except to.......

this show is up there for one of the best, the opening bertha>good lovin' is hot, but the estimated profit and franklins tower are what it's all about.

Yes indeed one of the best Bertha's ever..SO SWEET, also pretty funny, you can hear Jerry give Donna a "shush" @4:43 during Wharf Rat when she gets a little to loud for his ears, funny indeed.

I used to have an audience tape of this set, and the crowd really howl with the band during werewolves of london. You can hear it through the stage mikes. A really special picture of the band and Jerry in particular. Great Dire Wolf, and his vocals all the way through. He sounds psyched.

The absolute best Bertha(EVER!),Jerry rocks it with passion,the rest of the show the band is simply on.A outstanding add to any Deadheads collection,Jerry and the boys at there best.

Rarely, if ever, will I include El Paso as a highlight but give this one a listen and you'll know what I'm talking about. It feels like you're right there along side Bobby riding alone in the dark (and riding fast thanks to Jerry's noodling). Most highlights have been pointed out in the other reviews but I had to chip in about the El Paso and give this one 5 stars to compensate for the 1 star review below which was posted before the Werewolves was added. Can't blame him for being upset, its great. Listen to Jerry's "Draw Blood" (and the tone of his guitar) and Donna's hilarious wails and you'll know why.

Yup, great sounding show, and a hot 'Werewolves of London' to close it off. Up there with the best of '78 that I've heard, an equal if not more to the "From Egypt with love" run at Winterland to close out '78. One problem: The _vbr_.mp3 files are mistracked, you'll have to change all the filenames to the next song, and the file labelled 'discs' is the encore. Still, a small price to pay for such gold.

This is the best July 1978 I have heard.
So sweet.

Where is it?? Why is it not part of this seed??
:(

This is miles ahead of most of 78. It is my personal favorite. Nice first set. The energy is high, and the band is tight. One of the better versions of "Roses". Jerry sounds like he means it.
Second set starts with the best "Sampson" ever. I don't even like Sampson. But Jerry wails like his guitar is a sax, and just won't stop soloing and Phil is all over the bass.
Ship of Fools is not a throwaway, Jerry commands and demands your attention. You will listen.
Estimated has another long wailing solo that won't quit. Makes it feel 75 and sunny when you're frozen to your igloo. I could say great things about all of the other tunes in this show starting with "The Other One" (except fot "Terrapin", THE ONLY low point, if you could call it that). This show has Jerry in commanding top form, and the whole band is listening to eachother nonstop. Get it!!