this might have been my first show. i lived there at the time, attended u of o then...couldn't believe what i heard!

Tennessee Jed, Jack Straw, The Other One, St Stephen

A perfect example of what they do best. Particular highlights are one of the best damn Jack Straw's you'll ever hear, period, as well as music never stopped, good lovin', also insane is the "close encounters" Jerry space-esque solo improv into Stephen->NFA. Everything on this is choice!!!!

I love the expolring they do with this tune. Great set-list, great sound. "Roll them laughing bones"

Garcia was plagued by laryngitis in the California swing of this tour leading up to this date. Based upon my comparison of the end of December '77 shows at Winterland with the other California shows in January '78 -- all of which I attended -- I believe the affliction hampered some of his overall performances.

But I guess he finally got over the laryngitis because his voice is in rare form and his guitar playing is exemplary. He exhibits so many different tones from out of his Wolf Guitar that it is a veritable palette of vibrant colors. There are so many examples of this on nearly every song that they are too numerous to expound upon. I'll just say I reveled in the Jack Straw the most.

This show is a pearl of great price. It is hereby added to my list of all time faves.

This is a great show. One for the ages. For those who say otherwise, I would counter, "you must be high" or "you should get high" or "everyone was really high". Anyway, this one ranks very high in my world!

Hi to all! I've been in many different buildings for various musical shows. Two arenas come to mind,one is Commack Arena on Long Island and was used for semi hockey team the Long Island Ducks and one heck of a concert venue! It seem that the music had extra power and clarity. Vocals were really crisp and true. The other is in Virginia arena and one concert comes to mind. I saw VH and they were always turning the amps down. It was to loud,the vibration was off the charts! When they finally got the ampsright it was kick ass until Mr.David jumed off the amp and hurt himself. I'm not a sound technician, Live musi:)

This is really obviously not a version of St. Stephen from 1969. First, you can plainly hear both Keith's piano and Donna's vocals. Ummm they weren't in the band in 1969. Second, lets talk about the sound of the guitars. Phil's bass is much more thunderous sounding in 1978 than he ever was able to attain in the sixties. Bob, well he just learned how to play way better than he could back then. And then there's Jerry. in 1969, Jerry played a Gibson, which has a distinctly different sound from the heavily modified custom Doug Irwin guitar known as Wolf. Lastly... in '69 St. Stephen was routinely paired with the Eleven, which is not at all like Not Fade Away, which... never mind. hopefully you get my point. Peace.

If you listen to the St. Stephen from "Live at the Fillmore East 2-11-69," it's exactly the same, only the Filmore version is much better in terms of clarity.

Others have called into question the source of this recording. The similarities between these two versions of St. Stephen would seem to make its stated origin even more dubious a claim.

Ok so from Bertha thru Sampson sounds like the a completely different source. Unlistenable.

Thank god it went back to the SBD for terrapin through the end.

For the first 5 songs, this sounds like a pretty good solid 77 show. Indications of things to come start with Tennessee Jed, when Jerry kicks the intensity up several notches for a possible best-ever version. A scorching Jack Straw follows, and you know there ain't a place you can hide that will keep you from the awesome power of this performance. The first set ends on The Music Never Stopped, which is every bit as powerful as you'd expect by that point (and is one of the first renditions to include an extended waltz-time middle section).

But of course, it's the post-Drums part of this show that make it so special. The Other One is more like a throwback to 73 than a typical 77, already long and and exploratory before the band sits back and lets Jerry do his thing. He blasts his way into St. Stephen without the usual intro, but never mind -- this is the apotheosis of St. Stephen, a performance after which the listener is never again the same person as s/he was before. As if more was needed, a nice long, jammed-out Not Fade Away follows, and even Around and Around just adds to the energy. I can imagine that not too many folks got to sleep for quite a while after this show.

Thats the one (one of) thing that makes this show special. I must have had this tape back in the early 80's and was blown away by Jerrys tone on that "Close Encounters" sequence. Still am…..

My mind is being blown right now...

I was not there, but this cosmic show served as a door opener to my mind.

Nice recording, a possible Betty Board. Verrry cool space > St. Stephen > NFA. Love the Close Encounters sequence into St Stephen with everybody jamming hard!

Please investigate Mac Court on Google, an old-school arena. It is still there, although retired and no longer used for NCAA basketball. It was apparently built with a single low seating bowl and two balconies were added over the years. Very Cool!

My favorite Tennessee Jed of all time!

...with a couple of my roommates. I recall the buzz on campus the week of the concert. Fans slept in line for tickets. We felt like we were the center of the universe for a few lofty hours, eh Scotty and Johnson?

Many thanks for this terrific recording.

...but. I have a comment to make regarding the 'tone' of Garcias guitar at this outing. I wasn't at the show, but I have been at McArthur Court, the old basketball court at UO. It's not in use as a basketball court anymore, but it was when I moved outta Eugene in 2005. It was the oldest college basketball court in the country, and it reminded me of a miniature Boston Garden, as they were probably built around the same time. Mac court is basically built like a square, a box, but it's kinda tall. I remember going to some games, and the place was notorious for being a loud, raucous venue. I think maybe the strange acoustics of Mac court might have something to do with what some folks are getting at with. Garcias 'different ' tone. just a thought I had to add. This is a great show, wish. I coulda been there, but you know what? Thank your lucky stars that you're a GD fan! because what other band played 200 shows a year, and professionally recorded them all? No one. Thank you for putting me on earth to share space in a room with JG even if it was just one time. Looking forward to seeing Phil in NY next week!!
Be well everyone.

Jerry's sound on guitar is so unique this show. Anybody know some other shows where he has a similar sound?

I think Jerry finds a very unique sound on his guitar on this night, something almost Coltrain-esque in it squeakiness. His voice also cracks throughout the show, vocal chords starting to show some wear & tear from the accumulated years. Nevertheless, the 2nd set is an instant classic with full-tilt, psychodelic jamming.

Great show - there is a lot to love in '78. Good high energy show. Good old grateful dead. Thank you, GD.

Only three songs into this, but I'm lovin' the slightly different arrangements! Play this Peggy-O and then go to one from the '90's... This is so much sweeter! Not rating this one. It's all subjective! (but I love it!)

"....yeah, this show's alright but i'm a connoisseur and know much, much better..."

Get over yourself,kid!

I love everything about this show however it's the the way the Dead "crash" into TOO that does it for me. SPECTACULAR!!!! If you want a good read check out Dick Latvala's (RIP) review of this show in DB XI.

this here is all silver.
all
silver.

broke my Dead cherry at 78 meadowlands. This was one of my early tapes..tape had a cut in the middle of St. Stephen and picked up again during NFA..Never got to hear set one..whooop ass!! Close encounters was great but def not the only highlight...great show! love you all, Ira

Regardless of the hype over the 'Close Encounters' solo, this entire show is a treat. IMHO, the Jack Straw is among the best for the 1975 - Jan 1979 era. TMNS is also fantastic. The SBD recording, mix, and transfer are elegant.

...__[8]o

All day partying with Sunshine and Roses. I was really close to the doors for the opening and I left my ticket back in a RV were had been in. Got my ticket and even my place in line just as the doors opened. I worked my way to the 3rd row, 3rd seat from center.
Security came over to me and told me straight up that it wasn't my seat cuz it belonged to his girlfriend. AND SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT so he told me to enjoy the show!!
this girlfriend was a gorgeous red head. She wanted to hear Jack Straw so I yelled out to Bobby and he turned around to the band and they went into Jack Straw. Very Cool.
As they took a breather after Samson and Micky pointed at me and say to those around him "This guy is going to go nuts" I Did!!
In case it hasn't been noticed, when Jerry is doodling (Close Encounters jam) no one is playing with him. In all my shows, it was the only time where I saw the rest of the band find a seat and let their jaws drop to the floor with the rest of us. As Jerry started St Stephen, Phil gave him a menacing look as Jerry start St S without him. The drummers hopped on their stools and Keith jumped in as well.
That St Stephen was amazing especial the instrumental before the last couple of lines and cooking into NFA.
Not enough time to tell all the other stories but my buddies in the balcony were jealous as the first couple of row were all coked out and I was the first dancing by the stage. It also helped that Ken Kesey was in the audience and there was a Jester roaming the front few rows dosing people. What a show!!!

i much prefer early '78 to late, so this is a good a place as any for me to start. this show is solid but it's the TOO thru the end that really cooks. i guess its been been said enough, but the Close Encounters>St. Stephen IS the real mutha!(especially St. Stephen). probably the best post-'71 version out there, just glorious melodic phrases bursting outta Jer Bear's axe. must hear! must hear!!

I have to agree with Sedula and especially utopian - the show is a thoughly enjoyable show - one should just sit back,relax, and enjoy the show - not worry about this show and that - if you have so much free time and energy than go volunter somewhere and help out - My advice is to listen to utopian's advice - it's very true

Yes, the bore of era debate and those who wish to tout their favorite is more than officially passé.. These shows can only be rated within their certain Respective era. A 78 show can be related to a 76, but not really an 89 gem or 69 standout (different lineup, songs, style, vibe)

the snobbery when it comes to year bias is an old, outdated, system of personal preferance that has no solutions, exept in the choice YOU make personally when listening to something.

A pevious reviewer mentioned this Stephen shitty when compared to 76-77? Many reviewers consider 12-29-77 a legendary performance in any era, including 77. Question? Do you really think the 20+ days after such a performance they just were so different? That the minute the clock struck on newyears to change the years the carriage turned back onto the proverbial pumpkin?

My advice; if you like apples, please go eat them. But don't
try and convince me oranges suck.

Peace

Ps
this St Stephen rocks
if you like 78 check out
1-11-78
4-8-78
10-21-78
11-20-78
11-23-78

One of the previous reviewers said: "In fact it sounds rather shitty compared to St. Stephens from 1969-1971 or even average performances of the song from 1976-1977."

Well obviously in doesn't sound like '69-'71, but to say it isn't better than all of the '76-'77 ones is kind of silly. Eventhough I like them, the '76-'77 St. Stephens sound like the whole band has taken a bucket of qualudes. This one at least has some real energy to it. But if your expecting '69-'71 sounds than you not being realistic.

Jack Straw, Stephen>NFA, U.S. Blues are all fantastic! I'm not sure if it's the mix or the venue or what, but Jerry's guitar has an incredibly cutting resonance that is hair-raising. Plus he hits some monster riffs! Incredible!

A solid show, perhaps even a top-ten for the year, but it's 1978 and it's the beginning of the end...

Just because Jer noodles the Close Encounters theme for a couple minutes doesnt make this performance of St. Stephen an opus or anything. In fact it sounds rather shitty compared to St. Stephens from 1969-1971 or even average performances of the song from 1976-1977. Show gets three stars and 92 points.

re: the cycle of folk songs comprising the grateful dead

Dear life with the grateful dead,
Thanks for helping me out with the arrangements.
You might like to know I've developed as a musician
maybe not "in my own right" as "at my own rite".
always real gravy jamming with you.

re: details of the show

the morning dew came much later

Love you everytime

Bob Marley say:
"until dese tings have a meaning
there'll be always war".

This is a true classic, especially the second set. Terrapin is strong, The Other One is one of the best ever and is almost 16 minutes of absolute ecstatic jamming. The Close Encounter Jam is Jerry at his best as he hits some truly gutteral low notes that work perfectly and the transition into a great St Stephen is absolutely awesome, raw and powerful. This is the only St Stephen I know that does not start with the slow intro, it just goes straight into the great St Stephen lick. phil is very strong and creative throughout this show, but in the NFA he does a unique descendin lick that he repeats throughout the song that I just love.

check this video if you dont know what the close encounters theme is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoyPu95yCxw&feature=related

its about 3:20 into the vid.

This show is full of energy, sure, the 2nd set especially. But the St Stephen...man. It is far far from perfect, they even fuck up the timing of the song in a bunch of places (the GD are all too human), but MAN! what a spiritual Hammer of awesome musical emotional religious Power!

Ill summarize the remarks below...this is an average show for this period with some great highlights. I would basically download

Jack Straw
The Music Never Stopped
The Other One and everything after it.

TOO is quite good...better than many of the 1977 versions. Even exploratory at times like the 72-74 versions. But this is an average show and it does not make the top 10 for this year. For me 5 stars = top 5, four stars = top 10, 3 stars is basically average (most shows) and there are some shitty ones which deserve 2 or even 1 star.

Upon remembering that this was the day 13 years ago that we lost Jerry, I decided on this show, at least from Terrapin on would be a great choice,,,and it was...i've had this on tape since it was originally performed, and although I have heard it probably dozens of times, it never fails to stop me in my tracks and amaze me. Today was no different - although combined with the poignancy of the date - was a fitting and and awesome tribute....

I've only listened from the solo on, but can tell that this is one of those magic few where every so often when I listen Jerry is going to drop in and change a riff or three, or a segue, or a whole damn song, and I'll never notice until he's all of a sudden there for a few moments or even minutes of purest magic, and then gone again...

In early April 1993, I took this show on a Maxell and some damn fine "substances" and had the entire--no joke--Devil's Tower National Park to my lonesome. I figured I would honor the "Close Encounters" jam by busting it right @ the spot from the "close encounter." I hiked, thought, played for the day and then tripped for the late afternoon/sunset come-on and then just rocked this whole show on some juicy speakers, all alone with the Tower and the Dead and whatever native American spirits were there listening,too. No aliens (or National Park Rangers)showed up to keep me company (to my knowledge) but it did wind up being one of my favorite, simple moments in the Dead-Zone on this planet. This is an all star, one-of-a-kind outing by the Band that nobody should miss in this lifetime....JUICY, JUICY, JUICY!!!

all i can say is i'm glad i wasnt tripping the first time I heard the close encounters>st stephen

this is my first visit to '78 and i cried. LISTEN TO TOO,CLOSE ENCOUNTERS,ST.STEPHEN,NFA,

I cant say this is the best or anything but this is defninitley one of those moments where they really shined. get it

i was drivin today and all of sudden i nearly went off the side of the road...that raunchy stephen came on shuffle, wow is all i have to say, that first minute is really breathtaking

amazing st. stephen jam, my dad was at this concert. he went to orgon. he still has it on tape but the qaulity isnt so good.

...a dark and stormy night, as Jeff said. This was my second show - the first was a fine and wonderful 10/2/77 in Portland and I was back for more. Good God - I had no idea what I was in for. Every superlative is right on. The show started a little slow with Jerry's voice really hoarse from the cold he'd had (I don't believe he even sang the previous few shows), but he seemed intent on making up for it with his playing. Even the perfunctory solos in songs like Dire Wolf had something extra going on that night. By the time they tore the roof off the place during the jam on 10SC, you knew something was going on. Bobby and Jerry were jumping up and down during the Jerry-fan section at the end of Jack Straw - I never saw the big guy that animated again after that through my last show at RFK in '95. Nothing else to say about the epic second set except they were indeed a band beyond description.

Also some VERY STRANGE goings on in my portion of the hall that night. I was down from Olympia with a couple of friends and we joined up with a ragtag bunch of mutual acquaintences that got up to about 10-12 people for most of the night. Out of this group, two crazy coincidences/magical occurances during the set break. First, one of my buddies was sure he knew one of the women and she was sure she recognized him, but they couldn't figure out from where. After much gnashing of teeth trying to figure it out, turns out that his twin brother and her twin sister were a couple during a ski-bum winter in Utah a couple of years previous. He'd met her sister and visa versa but they'd never met each other. YOW! Just when that one was sinking in, another friend of mine wandered up to say hello. While we were talking, she overheard another woman in this group say her name. She asked her to repeat it, asked where she was from, etc. Turned out they were first cousins who'd never met before. Lots of aunts and uncles in that family and they'd just never connected. WHOA! Major grins and hugs all around at that point. SOMETHING was going on.

With that amount of magic as a backdrop, then the boyz came out for the second set and proved that there was more going on than you could ever hope to explain that night. Close Encounters indeed!

-Ray (older now, but no damn wiser)

Hey, if you disagree, it's all right, you have every right to be wrong!!

While the song selection in the first set and early part of the second is nothing special, the intensity level is all get out. They're simmering the whole time, about to boil over.

The CD that is Terrapin through the end of the show is as good as anything you'll hear from the Dead, even if you listen to every show from 72-74. I haven't heard anything else from this tour, but if the others are anything like this .... I have heard later 78 shows, and they pale in comparison. The Other One is 14 minutes of intense playing with a fine space section in the middle, but the real transcendence happens later. Someone already pointed out the low notes in Jerry's solo. I don't believe I've heard anything like that in any other show. Then he blasts into a St. Stephen that builds and builds until it reaches apotheotic proportions. Holy shit indeed! Not Fade Away is no slouch either.

Great to have a soundboard (downloaded before the clampdown!) of this unique and wonderful show.

I would give the first set a 4. (There are many great first sets here at the Archive--this is not one of them.) But the second set has some fabulous Jerry and tight band, starting with a hot Terrapin. I've never cared for the Drums segments that pretty much began in '77, but the Other One here is inventive, as is the solo Jerry. St. Stephan and NFA are in a great '76-style groove. Unfortunately, the end of NFA is cut off and Around and Around is missing in this recording. The US Blues encore is here but falls flat.

Overall, a 4.5, with the node towards the 5.

As someone who first saw the dead at stony brook
in 1970,and moved to San Francisco to be closer to them in 1976. In 1976 if you lived in NY you
had to sleep out over night to get tickets. That
being said , this is what they're all about.
Thank You, Jerry,Bob,Phil,Mickey,Bill,Keith and
Donna

To me, the great era of 1977 shows ends here. This is the last very special show that I've heard.
Yes, there are many great shows after this, but they became more formulaic and much more prone to "going through the motions" going into the rest of 1978. The Close Encounters Jam is truly amazing.
A must have.

Oh my God, I didn't even notice that this Alt existed here. I just wrote a review for the AUD source that explains why I am now shaking my head.

This show is anything but average. We all know how inspiring the 2nd set is so I just want to comment real quick on the great 1st set! Every song has that something extra to make it well worth the listen. The Jack Straw is my favorite version, short and to the point with some beautiful, inspired fanning by the big man. Great music never stopped too! Please check it out! This is a 5 star show, no doubt.

This is the legendary show in it's entirety. The whole first set is really great but the other one on is legendary at 20+ mins and the NFA is one of the best post '77's - Dive into this whopper...

Sorry I never say anything bad to my fellow heads but if this show does not deserve a 5 let alone a 4 you are at the wrong site guys....

Disk 3 is quite simply the greatest sequence of Grateful Dead music in the post hiatus period. Nothing even comes close.

good show... aud bits were kinda disappointing only due to sound quality when compared with the sbd for me... but definitely check out not fade away through us blues with emphasis on around and around... and st. stephen has its moments ;)

Except for Jerry's solo, this is a very average show. The solo is worth a listen but not a download. For a good 78 try 10/21/78.

Close Encounters Jam...My God...it is one of the most incredible things I've ever heard Jerry do...ever. It's beyond words. When he hits the low notes at the end it leaves you speechless. I played this for a very critical non-deadhead musician and he nearly shit his pants. On top of that this is one of the best Drums I've ever heard and Terrapin and The Other One are among the best. The second half of The Other One into the jam is absolutely amazing.

it was a dark and stormy night....no, really, it was and i remember standing in the graveyard across the street from Mac Court (one of the original "Pits," it's still the 2nd oldest active college basketball venue.) Appropriately, a stray wind blew the flame of a Bic I was using to light a bowl of hash, temporarily causing the eyelashes of my fight eye to fuse together. So I got to trip on acid and hash and constantly try pry my eyelashes apart while witnessing one of the epic Dead shows of my life. The atmosphere in the venerable old place was indeed ELECTRIC that night. I remember these huge, ancient chandeliers swaying in tome to Phil's thunderous bass, although when I saw that there was no way those old lights were really swaying it just seemed that way. Terrapin was still new and very trippy that night; Samson & Delilah just lit the place up. The drums/space remain mind-boggling; just very hot playing with that golld old Kesey vibe whenever the Dead visited Eugene in those days. 2 hilarious things happened that nite I have to share: I was standing in the lobby during intermission in a circle passing around a joint; i keep trying to pass it to the guy on my left, not looking at him, just trying to get him to take this joint. Finally i look over and realize he's not taking it because he's a City of Eugene police officer. Then, later, during Jerrry's solo, this big cowboy sitting behind us gets up and announces disgustedly, to no one in particular, "Who does this guy [Garcia] think he is, Jimi Hendrix or somehing?" and walks out. Well, this is (and was) rural Oregon and I guess the guy just wandered into the wrong concert.

Anyway, a great show, VERY downloadable, sounds not perfect but it doesn't matter. Peace, Jeff

i think this may be the only version of Around & Around that Chuck Berry should hear, but what do i know?



(While he's at it, he may as well go ahead and download the whole show, cause it's rad, like the people say......)

Listened through Jerry's solo, and I have been struck dumb and all I can say is wow. St. Stephen started so perfectly, I was afraid to breath.

Must have.

Nonstop creativity. When they jam Tennessee Jed this hard, in the first set, something is up. Music Never Stopped: gorgeous. Jerry is in the zone the zone the ZONE. The whole band is in THE SAME ZONE. Good Terrapin>Incredible Other One. 16 minutes, and made of the stuff you would find in '68. Close encounters is nice, how does Jerry get those sounds? Like giant flutes. The Stephen is MASSIVE, the NFA gets way trippy and has who do you love teases at the beginning. ON ON OOONNN!

By the time the band closes out Jack Straw, you've got the feeling a cosmic alignment is gathering its elements and settling into place. Thundering energy all the way. Almost out of control. Another parabolic refrain. Jerry is just warming up...

What happens in TMNS is nothing short of divine rapture. Jerry's wiggling leads pick the locks of Heaven and throw the gates wide. Then the Dead roll right in- in proud style- jamming all the way and rocking the celestial halls of Ever After, leaving no pillar unshaken. No other band can ride such a pure wave on the muse's tide for as long or as unadulterated as the Dead. Jerry's fingers dance around with their own freedom and cascades of notes will bathe your soul in sense and color as the music plays the band. I found myself laughing and shaking my head in disbelief. Absolute mind blowing a cosmic dandelion into a sparkling sentiment of LOVE.

For those of you just downloading the second set, please reconsider.

The sound is a bit hissy and not as clean as a cassette I have. I hope someone uploades a better copy. Try 4-24-78 for a much better sound.

This is very nice. Well played, recorded and mixed. I love how prevelant Phil is.

good sound, i just flipped through it for now but i coulnt tell between the sdb/aud parts

I had a SBD of set II for years. I thought it was great, but a bit overrated. This seed has changed my mind. First of all, the addition of the crowd noise really creates the perfect energy and atmosphere on the recording. Also, this first set rages. Tennessee Jed has a HUGE crescendo and even Peggy-O has some interesting improvisations. The crowd loved it, and so do I.

I would definately advise a download of this third set. The quality is great and well balanced. In particular, the terrapin>drums>otherone is ridiculas with phil droppin the bombs a few times in the other one.

I love disc three of this show. It's all I had on tape, but it's all I needed to hear to download this one. The St. Stephen on my tape was cut horribly right before the climax of the jam, but still I would listen to it just because what was there was so hot. All I've listened to was disc three, but it blows my tape away. No cut and nice sound quality. The highlights for me are the other one, which segues into a Jerry solo that develops into the alien theme from close encounters of the third kind. The St. Stephen is super fat as well. Kind of a ragged sound with a smoking jam at the end. Worth the download for disc three alone. US blues ends very abrubtly, the song finishes, but a half second less and you'd call it cut.