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Until the official release, this was an obscure show and a hidden gem. We only had a super-speedy AUD, until a FOB in 2008, and now the box set. Given that just a thousand or so tix were sold, it's amazing there were ANY tapers. People in the Omaha/Des Moines region didn't do Dead shows in '78 apparently - especially when they had just played down the road in KC (plus it was summer, so no kids from Lincoln). They had drawn better in '73, and after this only played as close as Des Moines. Though the 8th has the best set, this is the best overall show of the tour (in a different way than 7/1). The middle of both sets have big peaks and the Second Set is longish.



First Set. You have to go to the AUDs for the 1st minute of Sugaree. Who knows why the hell GDP didn't patch the official SBD, as they've done before. Maybe they were indifferent because the vox are missing until the 1st chorus. Otherwise it starts average, but Bobby's Slide Practice™ is kind of jarring, and then it kind of punts. Beat it on Down the Line-12 (maybe the month plus date?) has feedback screech that's less prominent on the AUDs. It sounds like a '74. The show then takes off with a grand They Love Each Other - maybe as good as 5/10. There's a break in the set for tech issues that's cut from the official. Looks Like Rain is as good as it gets - except for being mildly out of tune. Dire Wolf is fine but It's All Over Now is a top '78. The rest is average '78.



Second Set. It's a pretty mellow version of Deal, but things take off for the end jam of Samson. Estimated is thoroughly entertaining - maybe the best of '78? And that still doesn't prepare you for this Eyes. It's gobsmacking (though the 8th is best-of-year...or is it?). There are just so many great Eyes in '77/78. Phil stays out for awhile during a Drums>Space that foreshadows the '80s. This is another Wharf for Heads that don't like Wharf. Though arguably not 7/1, the tones they used in '78 and the little things Bobby does make these some of the best Wharfs ever. Truckin' is solid enough. A middling Iko Iko is in the bonus position. Jer starts in the key of E and, amusingly, on the SBD you can hear them asking Jer where the heck he's heading, and then calling a change to key of D. It's kingsnake '78 stylee, but the beat gets lost a couple times. There's not a lot of collusion on what this end of the show should be, but hey, at least Bobby gets some crucial slide practice. There are two Berries to end, but alas, the spell is broken.



1st Set : B-

2nd Set : B

Overall = 4 stars



Highlights:

They Love Each Other - such a sa-weet TLEO

Looks Like Rain - almost as good as 2/3/78

It's All Over Now - top '78

Estimated Prophet - thoroughly entertaining

Eyes of the World - gobsmacking

Wharf Rat - for people who usually skip it



SOURCES: The fob_knight_motb-0070_91785 is still great, but the wagner_97299 is complete. The official is mostly complete.



Uhh, the satanic panic Franklin thing of the '80s was a hoax (like always, when the word "satanic" is used as revenue/click bait on the rubes). Jer muffs "gained", but not into "friends".

- April 30, 2018Delayed Recog