Set 1



Jack Straw

Dire Wolf

Cassidy

Peggy-O

Mexicali Blues ->

Mama Tried

They Love Each Other

New Minglewood Blues

Scarlet Begonias ->

Fire On The Mountain



Set 2



Samson And Delilah

Ship Of Fools

Estimated Prophet ->

Eyes Of The World ->

Drums ->

Space ->

Iko Iko ->

Sugar Magnolia



Encore

U.S. Blues

Notes from MOTB: This is one of those OMG recordings... we wish this was the quality all of our releases.







Notes from Jim Goldman: In 1990 or so my uncle was going to throw out a big box of reel to reel tapes and since he still had the machine he bought to play them on I wanted to go through the box. Most of the reels were WLS top 40 for 6 years in a row not missing a week. I found a diferent type of tape (Ampex) and it said GD Huntington and that was it. I of course wanted to transfer it as best I could and there were no real 24/48 recorders out there except for computer recording. The computer room was on the complete other side of the home so we did a transfer in real time on a Phillips "super CD" recorder which meant 24/48. What may have happened is we ran out of room on a CD and had to stop the recorder very quickly to change CDs and that may also make the missing verse question answered. I started again at the wrong place. this was a huge challenge and I think we did OK.

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Reviewer: c-freedom - favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2020

Subject: Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now ! Hey now ! Firstly: This is a sweet show. From start to finish.

Observations about the 1st set jams they are tight but in no way winded (Cassidy 6 minutes and twenty two seconds)

Both Scarlet & Fire are right around 10 minutes but cover a lot of ground.

I think I gave it a 4 last time I reviewed it but it has grown on me.

Only downside is 15 minutes of drums probably cut into the post

space song selection possibilities.

Not that I wasn't the guy dancing thru the entire Drumz anyway.

A show like this would be legendary to a community like Huntington. W.V. and I love that entire area around the Monongahela



Secondly:

If you take Donna Jean's singing on this night she is such a bigger factor in the band then she was when she joined six years earlier

as an occasional back-up singer.

The sister's influence is all over this show.

Perhaps nowhere greater than on the Aiko.

She is basically doing a modified duet with Garcia.

Anyway, I want to say that the strides that Donna Jean made during her time with the band is mindblowing.

She started out singing on 1 song

that she came on and off stage in between the PITB jam

she ended up 6 years later

singing on just about everything in the repertoire.

Donna gave both Jerry & Bob the opportunity to sing their tunes with a female singer in the mix.

Brent singing on Lazy Lightning NOT the same.

Row Jimmy- not the same without Donna.

And then a tune like Passenger

How about MUSIC NEVER

Those oh's and ah's during SCARLET.

I liked Brent. He grew on me over the years

but he never filled Donna's vocal spot

He mainly was the keys man taking over for Keith.

Yes, he could sing and as I have said before

He went from a side man to a front man

not an easy accomplishment.

But never would I say

Hey is that Donna or Brent singing backing vocals?

Also I feel like Donna's singing freed up Phil to concentrate on the bass.

As much as I like Phil in the mix vocally. Especially 1971

-It is kinda a no brainer that it is his instrumental give and take

with Garcia, that is the jazz foundation of the Grateful Dead.

Also imagine being the back-up singer for The Grateful Dead.

By their very nature with open ended jams

the back-up singer is going to be looking at much down time.

Sometimes for extended periods of the show.

Anyway Donna Jean should have got an invite to the 95 reunion

and I will say it again she deserves to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Just my two cents also this was recorded by another great sister in Grateful Dead land. excellent recording and neat story about how it was recovered. - April 16, 2020Talk-in' 'bout, Hey now ! Hey now !

Reviewer: fresh donutz - favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 13, 2019

Subject: Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk! That is one whacky Me and My Uncle. Great Show - December 13, 2019Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk!

Reviewer: samlindquist38 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 10, 2018

Subject: 78 is so good 78 is my favorite year to listen to so much energy, any 78 New Minglewood Blues rocks so hard and yeah the scarlet fire transition is beautiful just an overall great show and great year for the dead in my humble opinion - June 10, 201878 is so good

Reviewer: PFflyerkid - favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 20, 2016

Subject: Beautiful recording... Truly balanced...love hearing everyone playing & singing throughout each song. - May 20, 2016Beautiful recording...

Reviewer: Traction - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 22, 2015

Subject: That old joie Seems like they had that old zing. Took some chances, had some fun. Everything

working in synch - drums and piano standout, but Jerry gets way into it in the first set solos - hey, all the way through. I wish I has been there. Has the energy of '70 and the skill of '77. Peggy-O my oh my. TLEO - so fine, Keith, so fine. And on. - December 22, 2015That old joie

Reviewer: JamsOnly - favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 19, 2014

Subject: Solid Show Band sounds like they are having a blast. Highlights: Jack Straw, Eyes - December 19, 2014Solid Show

Reviewer: BananaHammock - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2014

Subject: Stunning recording of a great '78 show Five star recording, one of the finest on the Archive quite easily. A clear improvement on the already superb C. Miller transfer. There might be other tapes this good, but there are none better.



As for the show, it depends on how you like the supercharged '78 style. If you like it you will love this show, which keeps up the momentum through drums without going off the rails into sloppiness as many '78s do. The first set blazes from the moment they remember what key Jack Straw is played in right through to the last note of Fire. Early '78 Scarlet Fires are justly famous; whether you think this is among the very best or is merely "average great" is up to you, but it sure ain't bad. The Peggy-O is remarkable even among the barrage of standout versions of the mid-'77 to mid-'78 era with a uniquely sharp peak to the solo. Fans of that song will want to check this one out for sure.



The Samson is cut, as noted in the source info, and hopefully will at some point be patched from the Miller fileset. Ship of Fools is one of those versions played with great energy and intent and wasn't a throwaway tune at all on this night. We're right in the middle of the golden era of Estimated Prophet, with a nice peak on the main/first solo/jam and a lovely extended outro jam with Garcia going on a long, twisted tone quest. Eyes is blazing and fast, it's a fine example of a style I don't really like.



Much has been said about the Drums segments on this tour. Certainly the drummers and the band in general were never as engaged as they were for this run, and the incredible tape really captures the fun they were having. That being said, fourteen and a half minutes is a pretty long fucking time for drums (the last four minutes plus of the "Drumz" track is actually guitar Space, with Garcia getting his MuTron freak on).



The short post-drums section maintains the energy of rest of the show and doesn't hit the overblown, out of control level that some do. This Iko is a good one for the era, maybe my favorite. The slow-burn groove isn't too slow, the solos are interesting and Garcia gets into a bit of a growly roar with the vocals by the end (and the vocal interplay with Donna is nicely done) but without getting ridiculous and grating like you'll hear in a few versions. The jam on this Sugar Mag is nice and cohesive, you can hear the hints of what would later become the big Phil-bomb/Bobby-power-chord/Jerry-fanning ending. Bobby and Donna keep their Sunshine Daydream vocal shenanigans in relative check resulting in a nice finish to the set.



Every version of US Blues on this tour pales in comparison to the Cameron version, so just go jam that one again. - April 16, 2014Stunning recording of a great '78 show

Reviewer: Stanollie Yeti - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2014

Subject: Oh yeah.... 36 years ago today and sounds like yesterday! - April 16, 2014Oh yeah....

Reviewer: timewarpwiretap - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 15, 2013

Subject: Energy! Gotta love that blazing Minglewood. - December 15, 2013Energy!

Reviewer: reviewr - favorite favorite favorite - May 19, 2013

Subject: Fair Peggy-O is nice.

The rest of the show is good, but compared to other shows in the '76 - '78 period this is only fair. And, compared to the '68 - '74 period, totally forgettable. - May 19, 2013Fair

Reviewer: sharkmanlpn - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 21, 2012

Subject: Best show on Arhive Best Dead show on Archive Bar None 10 out of 10 sharkmanlpn -- October 21, 2012Best show on Arhive

Reviewer: 1985is#1 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 15, 2010

Subject: Let's be honest.... Playing-wise, sound quality-wise, that's about as good as it gets. - December 15, 2010Let's be honest....

Reviewer: oxford88 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 9, 2010

Subject: yes yes yes Man, this is a great show. I love the crisp jam in peggy-o. beauty. the boys sure can play. - December 9, 2010yes yes yes

Reviewer: SHITHEAD SAMMY - - September 7, 2010

Subject: 780416 My reviews cover sound quality only. This is excellent! - September 7, 2010780416

Reviewer: Jerryskid1959 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 27, 2010

Subject: Five Stars It was my first Dead show...I won tix from a radio station...I didn't get it ...was expecting

Boston I guess...I got it in '81..glad it's here and I see what I missed....What a great show.....Jerry sparkles....wish I would have known then what I know now...... - August 27, 2010Five Stars

Reviewer: BIG_R - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 22, 2010

Subject: 4-16-78 Grate performance. Grate Betty board sound quality. - May 22, 20104-16-78

Reviewer: myhungryhippo - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 8, 2010

Subject: any set with TLEO and peggy-o AND IKO IKO with a blistering scarlet>fire





is a keeper, a gem, and a god send to me.





sound is almost master quality - May 8, 2010any set with TLEO and peggy-o AND IKO IKO

Reviewer: fillmore - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 8, 2010

Subject: another grate bettyboard can't go wrong with this one. a must have! - May 8, 2010another grate bettyboard

Reviewer: groovernut - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2010

Subject: this is it! 5 starts WOW this is the good stuff. Be careful it's strong. - April 16, 2010this is it! 5 starts

Reviewer: phishphan9698 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2010

Subject: LOVE A few weeks ago I received the greatest gift a dead head could ever want over 250 hours of dead 100 hours of JGB all DAT>TRUE1stGEN>< ALL FROM THE WELL> A friend was a big DAT taper in late 80's early 90's So I picked up a tape deck and looked through the tapes and pulled this out. The 32nd anniversary of this show. I have listen to tons of shows all years and this show was great. I could not leave the room listen to it straight through. < JUST BE HAPPY WE HAVE ALL THIS TO LOOK BACK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP COMPARING YEARS WHICH ONES BETTER WHAT SONG ON WHICH NIGHT... LOVE IT ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my first show was 6-11-93 BUCKEYE>6-30-95 my last 9 in all. I MISS THE FEELING BEFORE HEADING TO A SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENJOY EVERYONE!!!!!!!! LIVING LIFE 45 MIN AT A TIME - April 16, 2010LOVE

Reviewer: limeydeadhead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 11, 2010

Subject: Truely awsome People Rag on 78. What ? have they no ears. Better than 77 if you ask me and this kills Cornell for sure.



Cheers Betty



Mega - April 11, 2010Truely awsome

Reviewer: mellowmymind5453 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 23, 2010

Subject: Awesome sound This has to be one of the best, if not the best, sounding shows in the entire archive. Amazing crispness!

And the show is hot. Highlights for me is a smokin' Jack Straw and a wonderful peggy-o. Also of jammin note- Scarlet/Fire and Iko . In fact, there isn't a bad tune in the bunch. Thanks for putting this out there! - March 23, 2010Awesome sound

Reviewer: Rion M. - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 23, 2010

Subject: A dream I never thought I would be able to hear the Grateful Dead like this! The way I think they would have wanted. LIVE! Thank you for sharing Betty and for everyone who made this experince possiable. - March 23, 2010A dream

Reviewer: Sir-Mix-Alot - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - March 23, 2010

Subject: Top-notch Betty Board Great sound quality, and the band is in total control. Wow! - March 23, 2010Top-notch Betty Board

Reviewer: tutacht - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 28, 2009

Subject: Jack Straw This is my favorite Jack Straw EVER. They are really on fire. Jerry's solo after the last verse is really explosive. I prefer this version even to the MacArthur Court from the same year.

Scarlet Fire is also smoking, despite some vocal flubs "shoes on her toes" - September 28, 2009Jack Straw

Reviewer: robmyaeg - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 19, 2009

Subject: Will leave you smiling! The boys are a beast on this one. Sound is fantastic. The jams will grab you and take you away. Truly awesome. I love when you get that sense that Jerry and the boys are catching it and it goes and goes.



Keep on smilin' - May 19, 2009Will leave you smiling!

Reviewer: dsotm79 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 13, 2009

Subject: One of the Best Thanks to all who made this one possible! The audio as mentioned time and again is superb and the playin's not bad either! Keith is on fire here, listen to the metal moments on Mama and Minglewood... Keep it real! - May 13, 2009One of the Best

Reviewer: jay618 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2009

Subject: GREAT SOUND ON THIS ONE!! Was reviewing the "this day in history" and glad I found this 04-16 from 31 yrs ago..agree with the previous comments on set 1, its sweet.. set 2 is great too, love the eyes>drums and ssdd. - April 16, 2009GREAT SOUND ON THIS ONE!!

Reviewer: Earl B. Powell - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 20, 2009

Subject: Wake Up Wake Up Most assuredly the numero uno sleeper of the era. Never gets mentioned, probably deserves a top 40 or 50 ranking, even better among first sets. This MOTB/Betty also top 5% for sound quality out there. Amaze your friends tell 'em about this one. - January 20, 2009Wake Up Wake Up

Reviewer: World2Give - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 8, 2008

Subject: 4-16-78 set I

Both sets are solid in their own right BUT it's the first set where the magic is, being right on par with the the best ever performed.... It's simply fabulous!



This first set is one of those performances that has instantly recognizable versions of all its songs (like 5-8-77 etc...). The versions of this show are so well played and unique that any die hard fan should be able to quickly pick up on it and tell you that you are listening to the Huntington show. That coupled with the fact that the quality of this recording is top notch will keep this set from disappearing into the masses.



JACK STRAW: starts out off key and slow but quickly turns into a raging beast and compliments of Jerry Garcia, a version never to forget.



DIRE WOLF: is short and sweet with the last two minutes of the song having great jams.



CASSIDY: Is unbelievably crisp and clean, a perfect song to BLAST while cruising down the freeway with the top down..



PEGGY O: Is a beautiful version that contains THE absolute best (and longest) musically hardcore jam possible in this particular song.(thanks Jer)



The "Cowboy Songs": are well played and flawless. Albeit not the best ones I've ever heard, great versions nonetheless



TLEO: Just listen to Keith and Jerry- need I say more... once again, a great version that is easily recognizable upon randomly hearing.



MINGLEWOOD BLUES: It is a MUST to listen to the way Weir sings this song especially when he says the word "LION'S" - a true one of a kind... Then comes the jam parts... "holy cow"... That's about the best phrase to sum up the jamming... Dig when jerry takes control of the action at around



SCARLET FIRE: Oh goodness, where to start on this one... I am definitely a big fan of 77,78 and I sure have heard some good ones... However, I have to say that the 77 Cornell version is the best of all time and right there tied for second place along with 7-7-78 is this here gem... From Jerrys little cap on WV in the second verse to the climax of Fire, this one was and will always be truly special....

I always used to call this the "Spanish" Scarlet because when I first got this tape in the early 90's, I thought that Garcias guitar playing had a sorta spanish flair to it. The only "downside" of this Scarlet is the spacey jam where DonnaJean moans and groans but I like that part too..

The real sh*t starts at the moment the drummers start the Fire On The Mountain beat... I have always reckoned that to an old locomotive chugging on down the smooth railroad tracks. Why? because the music and especially the percussion is just so F'ing solid and it just stays that way especially the high hat cymbals... Just listen to the high hats throughout the song..

OK, now on to the lyrics...

Listen very carefully to when Jerry starts singing and says "Long distance runner, what you standin' there for"... Right as Jerry says "for" listen to some hillbilly in the audience scream at the top of his lungs aghhhhhhhhhhhh... you have to be listening for it to hear it the first time but thereafter, you will be able to hear it every time as do I.

As for the rest of this musical masterpiece, words are hard to find that describe how awesome Jerry plays out the jammz and then as the climax jam progresses (starting at about 7:00) listen to Bobby's Guitar kick in right along Jerry as they both combine to play lead guitar to end the set.. It's musically orgasmic!



Btw, the second set is good too! For me, this show is certainly among the top 5 favorite GD performances of all time- and for very good reason...Both sets are solid in their own right BUT it's the first set where the magic is, being right on par with the the best ever performed.... It's simply fabulous!This first set is one of those performances that has instantly recognizable versions of all its songs (like 5-8-77 etc...). The versions of this show are so well played and unique that any die hard fan should be able to quickly pick up on it and tell you that you are listening to the Huntington show. That coupled with the fact that the quality of this recording is top notch will keep this set from disappearing into the masses.JACK STRAW: starts out off key and slow but quickly turns into a raging beast and compliments of Jerry Garcia, a version never to forget.DIRE WOLF: is short and sweet with the last two minutes of the song having great jams.CASSIDY: Is unbelievably crisp and clean, a perfect song to BLAST while cruising down the freeway with the top down..PEGGY O: Is a beautiful version that contains THE absolute best (and longest) musically hardcore jam possible in this particular song.(thanks Jer)The "Cowboy Songs": are well played and flawless. Albeit not the best ones I've ever heard, great versions nonethelessTLEO: Just listen to Keith and Jerry- need I say more... once again, a great version that is easily recognizable upon randomly hearing.MINGLEWOOD BLUES: It is a MUST to listen to the way Weir sings this song especially when he says the word "LION'S" - a true one of a kind... Then comes the jam parts... "holy cow"... That's about the best phrase to sum up the jamming... Dig when jerry takes control of the action at around 3:33 (on my tape). This is my favorite Minglewood of all time..SCARLET FIRE: Oh goodness, where to start on this one... I am definitely a big fan of 77,78 and I sure have heard some good ones... However, I have to say that the 77 Cornell version is the best of all time and right there tied for second place along with 7-7-78 is this here gem... From Jerrys little cap on WV in the second verse to the climax of Fire, this one was and will always be truly special....I always used to call this the "Spanish" Scarlet because when I first got this tape in the early 90's, I thought that Garcias guitar playing had a sorta spanish flair to it. The only "downside" of this Scarlet is the spacey jam where DonnaJean moans and groans but I like that part too..The real sh*t starts at the moment the drummers start the Fire On The Mountain beat... I have always reckoned that to an old locomotive chugging on down the smooth railroad tracks. Why? because the music and especially the percussion is just so F'ing solid and it just stays that way especially the high hat cymbals... Just listen to the high hats throughout the song..OK, now on to the lyrics...Listen very carefully to when Jerry starts singing and says "Long distance runner, what you standin' there for"... Right as Jerry says "for" listen to some hillbilly in the audience scream at the top of his lungs aghhhhhhhhhhhh... you have to be listening for it to hear it the first time but thereafter, you will be able to hear it every time as do I.As for the rest of this musical masterpiece, words are hard to find that describe how awesome Jerry plays out the jammz and then as the climax jam progresses (starting at about 7:00) listen to Bobby's Guitar kick in right along Jerry as they both combine to play lead guitar to end the set.. It's musically orgasmic!Btw, the second set is good too! - December 8, 20084-16-78 set I

Reviewer: maximinus - favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 16, 2008

Subject: Great ´78 show I must admit to having a big preference when listening to the good old Grateful Dead - top notch quality sounding boards. The GD played such outstanding music that it only enhances the experience when heard in the best possible quality. This is one of those shows - a great Betty board; it sounds better than the SBD´s of bands playing 30 years later.



So what of the show then? The possible 16,000 fans at Hartford witnessed one of those shows where it just feels that the band will never play a bum note. Smooth, relaxed and in total control - a great ´78 show that any deadhead will enjoy.



In total then - 5 stars for the SQ, and 4 stars for the music. and since it´s the music that matters I giving this a 4 stars. - August 16, 2008Great ´78 show

Reviewer: thebone - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 30, 2008

Subject: Top 10 Wow, this is an unbelievably great show with awesome sound quality. I completely agree with Grendelschoice's review below--this is an all time Top 10 for me and that's no joke. Everything is so well played and Jerry brings his A++ game. The whole show has an extremely mellow vibe, as exemplified by Iko coming out of D/S. Extremely hi quality effort here. Enjoy! - July 30, 2008Top 10

Reviewer: SpecialPurpose - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 30, 2008

Subject: Damn! Sounding good kids. Get this one for sure. - July 30, 2008Damn!

Reviewer: rivieradead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 12, 2008

Subject: ditto What a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Ditto what the other reviews say, Peggy-O, Drums, Iko, and all, brought a smile and fond remembrance back to light. - June 12, 2008ditto

Reviewer: SensiSounds - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 29, 2008

Subject: Amazing Show Definitely up there with the best Dead sets I've heard. The sound quality is great, and they sound really laid back.



Great laid back version of Iko Iko into a smooth Sugar Magnolia, topped off with a really fun sunshine daydream jam. - May 29, 2008Amazing Show

Reviewer: grendelschoice - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 28, 2008

Subject: Heavens to Betsy....I mean, Betty!!!! This is the best-sounding version of one of the BEST..I'm talking Top 10 best--shows the Grateful Dead ever played.



SCARLET>FIRE alone worth the price, etc. The transition jam is both beautiful and intense, and charges up to, then melts into...a dream of a FIRE. Also look for the added fun of Jerry singing "She had rings on her fingers and shoes on her toes" in SCARLET.



...and ESTIMATED>EYES worthy of some of the best performances of the previous year.



All great, including the first set....and all contained in the best-sounding board yet. - May 28, 2008Heavens to Betsy....I mean, Betty!!!!