Great tracks this week, David. Thanks a lot! Lovin' that early '78 energy. Why, do you suppose, did the "wildly powerful" vibe of '77 end on 2/5/78? In other words, what was going on between then and April that would allow that energy to dissipate? Or was that level of playing together simply unsustainable for the band and the two month break let it fade away? Just curious...

From reading smallz post, what events contributed to a change in Grateful Dead energy level after the February tour ended in Cedar Falls? I sure enjoyed the energy at the 2 Red rocks shows in July. Was touring and a new family life beginning to wear a bit on the Godchaux's?

I agree with the distinction being made between February 78 and April 78.
Things don't always change just because a clock or calender turns over. On the other hand, sometimes it does turn over with the calender.
For example, I'd argue (mostly probably because no shows were played in-between 12.31.72, and 2.9.73), there's a good sharp break between the sound of 72 Dead and of 73 Dead.
For example, to my ears there's absolutely no confusing a 72 Dark Star w/ a 73 Dark Star.
While there's plenty to be said for both, they're two different beasts.

I was at the Fresno show on 1/15/78, and it was a strange and memorable show. The world was different then, and the Dead were popular on the Coast, but not in the Central Valley. Fresno State was out of session, so the 7000-capacity Selland Arena was largely deserted. There could not have been more than 1500 people there. We heard later that Bakersfield (the night before) was the same way, and that the entire Bakersfield crowd was invited to use their ticket stubs the next night in Fresno (never confirmed). Three days later at Stockton Civic (1/18/78) the place was sold out, although it was small (about 3000) and I think many people were from the Bay Area, not Stockton. Fresno is 3 hours from the Bay Area, however (Stockton is about 90 minutes from Berkeley), and my friends and I were among the few Berkeleyites willing to commit to the journey.

The first set was dull and lifeless, with no crowd energy. For the second set, the band just played for themselves, and while the tape here sounded great, it only hints at the masterful strangeness of the Playing In The Band--followed, incidentally, by a brain-frying Wharf Rat.

The contrast between the deserted weirdness and fantastic playing in the second set has always made the 78 Fresno show a very memorable event.

corry

With that being said, I was only a twinkle in my father's eye when this show was played considering I was born in '83

"Let there be songs...to fill the air"