So here I am nearly 13 years later, giving this one another listen.
My review of my earlier review: not one of my best reviews.
Yes, generally, much of the performance feels laid back if not lethargic, but others did as well in the Spring of 1978. And yes, Garcia's work in Jack Straw and JB Goode has some notable flaws.
However, my words need not have been quite so harsh, and there are plenty of signs of life if not brilliance in the final Sugaree solo, the Music Never Stopped exit jam, and the ends of the two Good Lovin' solos. And perhaps more.
In hindsight, I wish I'd listened to more of it back in 2004. While it won't make the top 20 for the year, nor the top 5 for April it is ---- of course --- worth a listen (or two).
In other words, if I find myself in the future amidst what seems to be a strangest of places performance, I will try to look at it right.
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(my review from May 23, 2004 entitled Trouble Ahead...):
Set two, Jack Straw starts super slow, nearly solemn. Garcia's solo is a shambles. He finally pulls out an exciting phrase near the end of it, but his trilled chords --- especially the second time thru --- are a train wreck. At the end of this mess, Lesh actually sounds out of tune. Weir, in the middle of a sung verse, says something like "Hammer in time, man." The following "poacher story" shows he is keeping his sense of humor, but they are also apparently having trouble with crowd crowding ("take another step back"). I skipped ahead to the JB Goode, and found Garcia nearly fumbling with the instrument. His fills are mostly bizarre. He (loudly and inartfully) bumps into the wrong string at least twice. Kudos to the band for making it through what must have been a trying night.

...I do wonder how Uhuer7000 knows these, were you sleeping with the band then? Yup, something was up this night, and assorted "guesses" about drug use may well be correct, but unless you were the Dead's dealer at the time, or something like that, guesses are guesses....

I'm not sure who the authority is on deciding a bad show from a good one....or if that is even possible to determine.
Each show has it's own flow. The first or second set could be amazing or only one or two songs could be mentionable.
I know that I loved listening to this show and Playing in the Band in particular.
The band's mood changes from moment to moment and you can find gems in the strangest of places.

I found it interesting that some people are saying that this was not a good show. I remember going to see them because I had always heard of the GD and wanted to see them. I wasn't very familiar with the Dead at the time so I couldn't tell whether they were "on" or not. I paid my money and wanted to stay till the end, but the people I was with didn't like the show and started nagging me to leave after only about an hour (I was the designated driver). After an hour and a half of bitching from the coked out disco freaks I was with, I gave in and we left with the band still playing. I have never left a concert with the band still playing and have been pissed of about it for almost 40 years. I looked this concert up specifically because I wanted to hear what I missed.

This was my first show and, as some of the comments have pointed out, was not a good one. Coke was plentiful and cheap in Miami at the time. I've always thought it was the drums that were off. I believe Bob's Hammer in Time comment had to do with the drums. After listening to repeated over the years I've always felt that Bill had taken some seconal or tuinal, Jerry was doing the cheap blow, and that Weir was stuck in the middle. I went back to this show again this morning thinking I've been too critical over the years. Nope, no such luck.

I was listening to this show on XM on top of a stalled housing development on a hill in eastern NH. It was ⁴ am and I was waiting for sunrise after a drug fueled shit weekend and a 2 am revelation that real change must start to happen in my life, and that night! This show has very spacey tired, "Sunday morning coming down" feel to it. And while it is quite obvious that my beloved Jerry is snorting a bit of white powder, and the rest of the band could have gotten a bit more sleep, THIS IS NOT a bad show! Come on nowI have really only been fully immersing myself in these concerts in the 9 months or so but, we know what a bad show is don't we. This one is different, and if you are growing tired of a certain sound, wake up early, drive to a clear stary area, play this diddy, and freaking enjoy man. This is amazing stuff!

Also does anyone else hear what def appears to be the origins HIAB a few times in the jams of the second set? Please correct me if you know of an earlier, but like I said I've only been fully turned on for nine months. That is another highlight of this one is the very spacey hazy second set jams.

Overall Jerr could have been way more off on vox, had way more guitar and lyrical flubs, and the band far more outta sync. This is good, a definite Bobby led show, and worth a listen, just remember to do something different when you listen, because that is what they are doing.

to anyone who says this show sucks go to hell. it might not be the greatest but its the fuckin boys playing the music you love. some of us would give a damn testicle to go back and watch this. dont like it? GET OUT. like the sayin goes the worst grateful dead show is still better than your best day at work!

Depending on the drug of course, but ditto what others have said. There's a sloppy, slow and hazy vibe permeating this show. it's not cohesive, not together at all. Jerry is off and it sounds like Keith isn't even playing he's so low in the mix. At times the band sounds exhausted to the point of delirium or like they're playing in slow motion. During Jack Straw Bobby says "Hammer in time man". I'm not sure if he was referring to Jerry or Keith, most likely Keith as Jerry at least is in time if not very lively. But Keith is inaudible, maybe low in the mix for a reason? If Jack Straw is a disaster then Terrapin is a mess. But Playing is nice with a very spacey and creative jam. The guys had an off night and I wouldn't be in a rush to listen to this one. It's my choice for worst of 1978 so far, I haven't listened to all of them. Other shows from this month are fantastic: 4/12 for example.

I got a sbd of this (cmiller). Highlights: Playing jam, and NFA>Black Peter, which is very hot indeed. Everything else is as described. Something is wrong!

It was wierd but the sound quality is terrific. Let's appreciate it for what it was; a slice of time and music.

Jerry was sniffing white powder all night, no one in the band had slept in days and the audience was filled with bikers doing downers,,,,not a very pleasant enviorment, and you wonder why this show sucks?

I wasn't at this show so I hav eno way of knowing what the hell was going on, but something was seriuosly wrong. They were out of sycnch t he entire show. Their heads and hearts certainly were not in it that night.

As the previous reviewer mentioned, Jack Straw was an abject failure. The timing was off (too slow) and Garcia's leads made no sense. And Phil did seem out of tune.

I gave this 2 stars only because the sound quality is very good. But, I would recommend passing on this download. There are so many other gems to choose from.

Amazing Sound...Like most 78 shows...But being saved on 7'' two track reel is way better than Cass masters... My stars are quality....for sound