• Post reply
    955 replies
    lilgoldie
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    What's Inside:
    • Five Complete Shows
    • 5/11/77 St. Paul Civic Center Arena, St. Paul, MN
    • 5/12/77 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
    • 5/13/77 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
    • 5/15/77 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis MO
    • 5/17/77 University Of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
    •14 Discs, 111 tracks
    •Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman, Plangent Processes playback system for maximum sonic accuracy
    •Artwork by Grammy Award-winning graphic artist Masaki Koike
    •Period Photos by James R Anderson
    •Historical Essay by Steve Silberman
    •Individual show liner notes

    MAGICAL, MYTHICAL MAY 1977!

    If you're a Dead Head, chances are you've spent many an hour expounding upon the distinction of May 8, 1977, Cornell University, Barton Hall. Well, at the risk of preaching to the choir, we'd like to reintroduce you to a series of shows that matches said greatness from that same gloriously fertile season. While Barton Hall is well known, the astounding tour that surrounded it has occasionally flown under the radar due to the uneven quality of tapes in circulation. May 1977 is set to change all of that with a boxed set that zeroes in on this high-water mark in the Grateful Dead's long strange trip.

    For a band resurrecting itself after a 20-month hiatus, there was a great frenzy of expectancy that surrounded the Spring of 1977. We anticipate a grand reoccurrence of this fervor with the release of May 1977, a 14-disc boxed set featuring five complete shows from consecutive stops on that magical tour. Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering, the "psychoacoustic phenomena" as Jerry once put it, of St. Paul Civic Center Arena, St. Paul, MN (5/11) Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL (5/12, 5/13), St. Louis Arena, St. Louis MO (5/15) and Coliseum at the University Of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (5/17) can now finally be appreciated. Each of these shows finds the Dead delivering punchier, more focused sets, tightening up the framework; each night turning out first-ever renditions ("Passenger,""Iko Iko,""Jack-A-Roe"), unloading potent new pairings ("Scarlet Begonias">"Fire On The Mountain", "Estimated Prophet">"Eyes Of The World"), classic covers ("Dancing In The Street") and soon-to-be staples ("Estimated Prophet," "Samson and Delilah"), and ultimately rising up to paradise.

    And now for the nitty-gritty...

    Due June 11, May 1977 is limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies. Presented in a psychedelic box that boasts an intricate die-cut design created by Grammy®-winning graphic artist Masaki Koike, the set also includes a book filled with stories about each show, as well as an in-depth essay by Dead historian Steve Silberman, who delves deep into the history behind the tour and the band’s return from its extended hiatus.

    Once these 15,000 boxes are gone, May 1977 and its shows will never be available again on CD. However, the 111 tracks will be made available on release date as FLAC and Apple lossless full-set-only downloads for $99.98.

    Like its predecessors Europe '72: The Complete Recordings and Spring 1990, we expect May 1977 to sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here and on Facebook.com/GratefulDead and Youtube.com/gratefuldead.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A
Reset
  • #831
    Andrew Right
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    More '77
    I am just (very slightly) a little disappointed with this release; there have been so many 1977 sets put out over the past few years that I was hoping for something a little more off the beaten path. Perhaps a Fall Tour 1983 box, or a Summer Tour '79? How about spring or summer 1973? Oh well, I am still excited (can't go wrong with Spring '77). I have been on a major Brent bender for the past year, so getting back into the '77/Keith era will be fun. I absolutely love the gear the boys used during this '77 tour. Keith's Moog synthesizer adds such a cool groove to tunes like Estimated (see 5/11) and Lazy Lightnin'>Supplication. Jerry's new-found love for the Mutron III really shines through in his experimental playing (thwack-thwack-woooooooow). Bobby's rig is also supreme; his guitar tone never sounded better, with the exception of perhaps '72. The Cowboy Fancy Ibanez and Mesa Boogie amp just sound so punchy, clean, and unique. I love when he adds little percussive 'clicks' to his playing. All in all, this tour is when the Dead's sound really matured, and the band as a whole never functioned better as a unit. Timing, tempo, and coordination were incredibly precise—every note landed perfectly or had a purpose. Billy and Mickey play like they have been hypnotizing each other again. Phil was in the Phil Zone. Keith is at the top of his game. Even Donna brings me to tears with her backing vocals on songs like Comes a Time and Wharf Rat. Just great versions of all my Dead favorites. Can't wait till this arrives in the mail.
  • #832
    wilfredtjones
    Joined:
    cool article
    Thanks for the Relix article 44moose. I read that the vault offered $100K for the reels, but the person wants $1MLN!!
  • #833
    tree1270
    Joined:
    Article
    Yes 44moose, thanks for the article! Interesting read!
  • #834
    mustin321
    Joined:
    Listening Party
    I am not a Donna hater by any means...I even miss her screams on PITB sometimes. She is really on during Wharf Rat and Mississippi Half-step from the listening party. The balance in the mix is absolutely perfect too. Can't wait for the rest!
  • #835
    mato1949
    Joined:
    Scraping my money together
    I'm going to try real hard, cash is tight, maybe I'll stop eating!
  • #836
    rdevil
    Joined:
    next time, a heads up please
    Just a request here, but is there some way Dead.net could give us a heads up about the timing of next year's box? Like many others who have posted here I've recently bought Summer concert tickets and will have a tough time getting $150 together right away. I figured this year's box would be released or announced around Jerry's birthday like last year and thought I had time to put a little money away.So next year, could Dead.net post some kind of pre-announcement a couple months in advance? Something like "box set announcement coming in May (or whenever). That would be helpful to a lot of us.
  • #837
    rdevil
    Joined:
    5-7-77
    First of all, this box set should be great. In addition to 14 discs of great music and complete shows, this box is relatively affordable at $10 per disc. That's a big plus; the music is what it's all about--no need to up the price with additional trinkets or coffee table books.There's been a ton of posts here already asking for the Barton Hall show even though Dave has said it's not a candidate for release right now because they don't have the master. I just wanted to mention the Boston show on May 7, 1977. To me, it's right there with the 8th and 9th. If these shows are recovered and released someday I really, really hope it's all three released together. The Half Step from the 7th is terrific and the Wharf Rat is absolutely perfect, arguably the best version ever.
  • #838
    44moose
    Joined:
    Missing from vault answers
    The May Box and June Box and other Dicks picks have given us a ton of great stuff from 1977. http://www.relix.com/features/2013/05/07/beyond-cornell-david-lemieux-o… Who knows when we will see the rest. Should rhino just pay up to get the reels?
  • #839
    44moose
    Joined:
    Missing from vault answers
    Check this out from Dave via http://www.relix.com/features/2013/05/07/beyond-cornell-david-lemieux-o… Great interview.
  • #840
    Zuckfun
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Sweet 77
    Not sure who has the missing Betty reels, if they're all in one person's possession or not. Hopefully one day they're returned, for the love of the fans. It seems likely part of Cornell is in the Vault (maybe one of five reels?) and this is how the Dancin' was released. There are more than a few missing shows recorded by Betty. Red Rocks 78, Fall of 77. In the caveat emptor of Dick's Picks 34, it states one reel of 11/5/77 is missing, though this issue was worked around. The hope is the love of the fans wins out. Regardless, there's so much great music that is in the Vault, like this sweet May of 77 extravaganza. For those keeping track, here's five more huge wins for the home team.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 8 months
Submitted by lilgoldie on
Forums
Dead Store Products

What's Inside:
• Five Complete Shows
• 5/11/77 St. Paul Civic Center Arena, St. Paul, MN
• 5/12/77 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
• 5/13/77 Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
• 5/15/77 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis MO
• 5/17/77 University Of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
•14 Discs, 111 tracks
•Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman, Plangent Processes playback system for maximum sonic accuracy
•Artwork by Grammy Award-winning graphic artist Masaki Koike
•Period Photos by James R Anderson
•Historical Essay by Steve Silberman
•Individual show liner notes

MAGICAL, MYTHICAL MAY 1977!

If you're a Dead Head, chances are you've spent many an hour expounding upon the distinction of May 8, 1977, Cornell University, Barton Hall. Well, at the risk of preaching to the choir, we'd like to reintroduce you to a series of shows that matches said greatness from that same gloriously fertile season. While Barton Hall is well known, the astounding tour that surrounded it has occasionally flown under the radar due to the uneven quality of tapes in circulation. May 1977 is set to change all of that with a boxed set that zeroes in on this high-water mark in the Grateful Dead's long strange trip.

For a band resurrecting itself after a 20-month hiatus, there was a great frenzy of expectancy that surrounded the Spring of 1977. We anticipate a grand reoccurrence of this fervor with the release of May 1977, a 14-disc boxed set featuring five complete shows from consecutive stops on that magical tour. Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering, the "psychoacoustic phenomena" as Jerry once put it, of St. Paul Civic Center Arena, St. Paul, MN (5/11) Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL (5/12, 5/13), St. Louis Arena, St. Louis MO (5/15) and Coliseum at the University Of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (5/17) can now finally be appreciated. Each of these shows finds the Dead delivering punchier, more focused sets, tightening up the framework; each night turning out first-ever renditions ("Passenger,""Iko Iko,""Jack-A-Roe"), unloading potent new pairings ("Scarlet Begonias">"Fire On The Mountain", "Estimated Prophet">"Eyes Of The World"), classic covers ("Dancing In The Street") and soon-to-be staples ("Estimated Prophet," "Samson and Delilah"), and ultimately rising up to paradise.

And now for the nitty-gritty...

Due June 11, May 1977 is limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies. Presented in a psychedelic box that boasts an intricate die-cut design created by Grammy®-winning graphic artist Masaki Koike, the set also includes a book filled with stories about each show, as well as an in-depth essay by Dead historian Steve Silberman, who delves deep into the history behind the tour and the band’s return from its extended hiatus.

Once these 15,000 boxes are gone, May 1977 and its shows will never be available again on CD. However, the 111 tracks will be made available on release date as FLAC and Apple lossless full-set-only downloads for $99.98.

Like its predecessors Europe '72: The Complete Recordings and Spring 1990, we expect May 1977 to sell out. Your best bet is to pre-order it now, then sit back, relax, and enjoy all the exclusive content we'll be rolling out over the next few weeks right here and on Facebook.com/GratefulDead and Youtube.com/gratefuldead.

user picture

Member for

15 years 7 months

Submitted by guit30 on Sun, 08/11/2013 - 01:54

Permalink

wissonoming Deadhead, I agree with you on your list of favorite shows,that's what I like, Jim
user picture

Member for

15 years 7 months

Submitted by guit30 on Sun, 08/11/2013 - 02:18

Permalink

They were doing a lot of "Dancing in The Streets " in 76 shows, almost like these, Donna's vocals and the band make this just a fun jam, 77 is like a split year, as the year goes on, these songs keep evolving into new grooves, but this sure is a great part of the journey. For Sound quality, I have never heard music this rich from a live 2 track recording, no glitches, As far as other shows in 77, I would sneak May 28 "To Terrapin" in this box, love those performances and good quality, not quite like here, this just an aural treat. As for one other show, DP15, "Englishtown ,NJ" 9/77,I was there in that peaceful 100,000 people show with the Marshall Tucker Band and it was the last show that I saw the Dead and I remember it so vividly, being out in the country and the Stars at night, They sounded so good, great "Truckin'" and a super version of "Terrapin Station". What a Year, and what a great Box sert of Music!!!
user picture

Member for

15 years 7 months

Submitted by guit30 on Thu, 08/15/2013 - 04:13

Permalink

The last I read,all Dead archives are at Warner Brothers Music now, they own Rhino now, I think.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months

Submitted by kraven024 on Sat, 08/17/2013 - 20:05

Permalink

The Spring 1977 tour begins and ends at Winterland. 25 shows played between the Winterland shows. Tour begins 4/22 in Philly at the Spectrum, ends 5/28 in Hartford, Connecticut at the Hartford Civic Center. 5/8 dubbed 'best of' but unreleased due to what must be sound issues(?). 10 shows officially released, exclusive to the 2nd leg of the tour beginning 5/11 St. Paul. 1 of 2 Winterland runs sandwiching the tour released, from June 7-9 (3 shows). Note: * 6/4 show in CA> I don't count as part of the tour, a 'transplant' show if you will, but count as a show. 32 total concerts from Winterland->Winterland + 2 shows before Winterland 3/18-20 on 2/26-27 in CA for a grand total of 34 shows from Jan1-Sept 3 at Raceway Park, Englishtown, New Jersey (Dick's Picks 15). more notes; from 5/11 St. Paul to Winterland on June 7-9 only 2 concerts not released from 15 shows > Fox Theatre on 5/18. and 5/26 Baltimore Civic Center.
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months

Submitted by Deadheadbrewer on Mon, 08/19/2013 - 13:11

Permalink

5/5/77-5/9/77 are not in the vault. 4/30/77 was officially released in the Download Series. Cheers!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 7 months

Submitted by ericscho on Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:50

Permalink

Finally got the box in my hands ;). Never thought it would happen. 1st cd is now blasting through the speakers, great stuff !
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 7 months

Submitted by lbo on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 10:53

Permalink

That is kind of disappointing that they slipped a different version in without fessing up to it. It is definitely not the same GDTRFB as what is on the 5-13 SBD transfers at the IA. I give grendelschoice a ton of credit of figuring out which one it is. It would be nice if someone here (DL etc) would comment on this.
user picture

Member for

15 years

Submitted by philledawg on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 16:20

Permalink

This just in! 4 different May '77 'Venue' Stealies. Only 250 avail. per venue. Only $6 a pop and a nice addition to the box set. They are really nice, really unique, and they only printed 250?
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 3 months

Submitted by grendel4 on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 13:23

Permalink

@KatkyIII Thanks for noting my detective work, but really it was just one of those things that was driving me crazy, b/c I have always considered 6/8/77 one of THE best GDTRFB's ever, and when I kept listening to 5/13 on the boxed set it was nagging me how familar it sounded. Thing is, I think it's a GREAT choice to have subbed in 6/8/77 if the existing 5/13 SBD copies all suffered from distortion, which seemed to be the case...but why the subterfuge??? I sincerely hope Dave or someone involved w/the decision can just say "yes, the version on the boxed set from 5/13 is NOT really from that show, and here's why we did what we did." From a customer satisfaction/honesty standpoint it really deserves some explanation.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months

Submitted by charles on Wed, 08/28/2013 - 12:51

Permalink

Cannot agree that it is great stuff. I got my copy here in the UK a few days ago and have played the first 2 concert sets. This is the first big box I have got that I don't like (I did not get spring 1990).For £136/215 dollars delivered I am not impressed, it seems inferior musically to other sets from that year/tour for example Winterland from June or Hartford from the same tour. Is it me,what am I missing. I have loved the Dead since first hearing them in 1968.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months

Submitted by wadeocu on Wed, 08/28/2013 - 08:48

Permalink

See post #1 (or #875 if you have it sorted by newest first): "Wonder how they dealt with some issues on the masters like the cut in Wharf Rat on 5/11 and the 5/12 Playing in the Band. The circulating copy of 5/13 has sound issues at the end of the tape which may not have been on the master, but both David Gans and David Lemieux have said in the past that the 5/11 and 12 masters have those issues. Not that this will ruin it for me - just curious. Looking forward to another release!" I'm actually ok with the alternative version patch approach as it allows uninterrupted enjoyment of the flow of the show. I would rather have consistent sounding patches than leaving cuts alone or using drastically different sounding sources such as AUD patches. Disclosure of the fix is, however, another issue ....
user picture

Member for

12 years 6 months

Submitted by reijo29 on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 07:25

Permalink

I agree with Charles. I am still somewhat disappointed with the set. It's just sort of ho-hum until the last show 5/17. I am of the opinion that the Dicks vol 29 2 shows & the June Winterland box blow this away. It's just that for $163 cost I expected to really enjoy it. They should have just made it with a simple CD sized box like Dicks 29, charged $100 and then I would not feel like I wasted a lot of hard earned cash.
user picture

Member for

12 years 3 months

Submitted by ashmo2 on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 16:23

Permalink

This is easily one of the best box sets the Dead have ever issued. 1977 is pretty much defined by Phil's funky bass lines and he's on fire during this run of shows. The artwork and packaging surpasses anything the Dead have released previously, as it seems they just keep getting better and better with each new one. You can tell they really care about their fans and it hasn't gone unnoticed here. People get on here and just have to say something negative, and I guess you can't please everybody as there's always that tiny group who actually prefer bad vibes over the good ones. I don't see how you can find one negative anywhere with this release, unless you're just pre-disposed to do so. Again, excellent work guys, and thanks for these '77s which are well worth the money, and a very good value in my opinion. And, we can't wait for the next one!
user picture

Member for

12 years 6 months

Submitted by reijo29 on Thu, 08/29/2013 - 19:01

Permalink

Hey I'm glad you love it and think its a great value. I just was underwhelmed by it. I've posted many positive opinions about several releases. I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful spring 90 box set, I still love listening to it and reading the awesome book as well as the cool back stage passes and other goodies that weree included. Sorry for the negativity on this one, I just expected it to be better. Regardless I am thankful for all the releases. Sorry to have brought you down, enjoy the music it's all good.
user picture

Member for

12 years 7 months

Submitted by TheeAmazingAce333 on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 22:40

Permalink

...give this a chance!!!especially if you dig 5.19, 5.21 & 5.22(!) ...and/or 5.5, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9(!!) it's interesting to hear the 'days between' (sorry, couldn't help it... great tune...) those 2 epic runs of shows... especially straight from the vault... this box is fill with gems to fall in love with... it may take some time/listens... guit30, claney & myself all wrote, imo, very 'helpful' notes about these shows... please read #s 90-100 on this thread & hopefully some of our words/thoughts will inspire your future listens... keep irie... ~ace ps... o.pen vaporizers... insane...
user picture

Member for

12 years 7 months

Submitted by TheeAmazingAce333 on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 23:01

Permalink

there is zero justification for releasing 4.24.78on the heels of this killer boxset... a valid arguement could be made that there are better versions in the boxset of EVERY TUNE played on 4.24.78... okay there's no Black Peter, tis a great rendition... make mine the Comes A Time, in this instance... 4.24.78 coulda waited... and, as our BROTHER from SPACE reminded us of Comisky (circa 1979?? was only 3 but...) much to my delight that: DISCO SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & that s/fire is waaaaaay overrated... so, again, delve away... you will find good t'ings... irie... ~ace pss... our reviews now start @ #102... i&i think...
user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months

Submitted by PalmerEldritch on Sun, 09/01/2013 - 01:33

Permalink

Yeah ace, it's a killer box! But personally, I don't think the 5/13/77 FOTD could hold the jock of the 4/24/78 FOTD. Just my opinion.p.s. thanks for changing your profile pic! previous image was disturbing :)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 10 months

Submitted by Parkas4Kids on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 11:31

Permalink

I bit the bullet last week and spent the $139.98 (shipping & handling not included) for the limited-edition box set. It arrived in the mail yesterday and has been copied over to Ye Olde iPod for my listening pleasure. And I gotta say, I LOVE the artwork on this box set. It's simply gorgeous! Looking forward to the experience!
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by claney on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 13:22

Permalink

I can't get enough of this underrated show. I actually had this show on CDR for years and never gave it much chance after the first listen. But the version on this set just sounds so good... I can listen to the silence between notes and it sounds sweet. You know, the whole "thick air" thing? Just lovely.
user picture

Member for

14 years 9 months

Submitted by drshakedown on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 14:08

Permalink

Someone is selling this on Amazon for $299.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months

Submitted by danc on Mon, 09/16/2013 - 09:11

Permalink

For the past several years I have enjoyed it as much as 5/7, 5/8, 5/9 and 4/23... 5/11 and 5/21 makes it a big six, I don't need much more than that for the April-May boom-boom tour, but I am loving 5/17 too. So a lucky seven it will be.
user picture

Member for

12 years 6 months

Submitted by reijo29 on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 10:18

Permalink

Once again I have been knocked out by the 3rd disc from 5/17. Estimated into a really swinging Terrapin (I have never been a big fan of Terrapin but I love the feel of this one). And then a real exploratory Playing. Rising from the ashes of drums comes a fantastic, sweeping Wharf Rat with Jerry leading the opening with tasteful Jazzy guitar flourishes & finally a dynamic spooky transition back into Playing. Magic
user picture

Member for

13 years

Submitted by franklintower88 on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 14:17

Permalink

I agree. 5/17 is currently one of my favorite dead shows in general, and absolutely my favorite from spring 1977. Estimated>Terrapin sounds really cool, and quite frankly, I prefer this night's Scarlet>Fire to the one from Barton Hall. (According to the May 1977 booklet, Donna saved a child from being trampled by the crowd during Fire.)
user picture

Member for

13 years

Submitted by franklintower88 on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 14:17

Permalink

I agree. 5/17 is currently one of my favorite dead shows in general, and absolutely my favorite from spring 1977. Estimated>Terrapin sounds really cool, and quite frankly, I prefer this night's Scarlet>Fire to the one from Barton Hall. (According to the May 1977 booklet, Donna saved a child from being trampled by the crowd during Fire.)
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months

Submitted by TheDeaDest'72 on Mon, 10/07/2013 - 06:31

Permalink

Well I'm new to dead net, I have always liked the dead since I saw furthur live at wanee in Florida along with the allman bros minus Dwayne :(, I feel he is in the top ten best guitar players of all time, and the show blew me away I was to young when Jerry died I was 5 so I never got to see the dead also from Australia and they never came here I think but one day I pulled my head out of my ass and went from liking the dead to loving them I saw Ace with bob Dylan in June and he was excellent doing acoustic did an amazing cover of dear prudence and Dylan was amazing as always even tho he's losing his voice but I came home and got live/dead month later my father who saw the dead at Woodstock in 69 and has followed the most his life bought me the euro dead complete recording which I love cuz pigpen was still alive and I love dark star nd after listening to it all I wanted to here some diff stuff so I started with to terrapin and I loved it disc 3 is my favorite cd cuz I really love there funk music so to the point I just got may 77 and I'm looking forward to hearing 5/17 disc 3 which as I've read is the best but I was reading and " amazing ace " said something bout they replaced a show with a show , and u seem to know your shit so I'm listening , could u tell me more.
user picture

Member for

11 years 3 months

Submitted by TheDeaDest'72 on Mon, 10/07/2013 - 06:53

Permalink

Sorry, grendel4 was the person that said that not amazing ace , I misread.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 9 months

Submitted by Zuckfun on Tue, 10/08/2013 - 16:12

Permalink

The version of Goin' Down The Road from 5/13/77 is replaced with the version from 6/8/77. It seems likely this portion of tape from 5/13 couldn't be salvaged.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 2 months

Submitted by tylerwmg on Wed, 10/16/2013 - 14:42

Permalink

Test
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 3 months

Submitted by Star Dark on Mon, 10/21/2013 - 15:46

Permalink

As someone who’s not yet pulled the trigger on May 1977, I’m very curious... Is it the consensus of those who have heard both the Winterland ’77 and May 1977 sets that Winterland wins out in terms of sound and performance quality?
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 9 months

Submitted by Zuckfun on Wed, 10/23/2013 - 18:43

Permalink

In terms of sound quality, both are great. If I had to pick a winner, Winterland wins the sound quality contest slightly, in terms of recording consistency. In terms of performance, May of '77 is too great to pass up. The 3 show run of 5/13-5/15-5/17 atleast equals the performance level of the 3 show Winterland run. And this without even mentioning the first two shows. But May of '77 doesn't have a 6/9- and Winterland doesn't have a 5/17. Whether or not this box is worth it perhaps depends on how much 1977 is desired. For me, this set is essential.
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months

Submitted by Underthevolcano on Thu, 10/24/2013 - 08:45

Permalink

to the May '77 box set for performance quality. Does anyone know why this box wasn't given the two or three disc compilation treatment for general release as was Spring '90 or Europe '72? I just purchased the vinyl 4 record set from Spring '90 even though I have the full box set.
user picture

Member for

13 years 1 month

Submitted by katky111 on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 14:39

Permalink

I feel rather strongly that the Winterland box eclipses the May box; while I would not deem it superfluous, it's as close as I've yet felt with a new GOGD acquisition. I think sound quality is a wash and on the subject of performance, to quote Blair Jackson quoting Dave L., "...of these shows (i.e., 6/7-9), the first night is a Top 15, the second is a Top 10 and the third is a Top three". Moreover - and I am a Spring 77 maven - I don't even think the May box contains the best commercially released show of the month...I give that distinction to DiP/3 (5/22). Anyway, just my .02; in retrospect I would have saved for the next DaP subscription or upcoming Fall '73 box (HINT Dave). Though honestly, if you've got the $$$, you can't go wrong buying everything :) /Katie
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 3 months

Submitted by Star Dark on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 18:39

Permalink

Thanks Zuckfun, Underthevolcano, and kakty111 - think I'll pass on the May '77 box. Between the Winterland stuff and other releases, there's plenty of '77 to go around. My next dollar will likely be invested in DaP 2014 - esp. now that he's dipping into fun "warts and all" stuff. (Dave gets a pass on DaP 8 - a deeply crappy choice, IMHO!)
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months

Submitted by Anna rRxia on Sun, 11/10/2013 - 11:58

Permalink

With Rhino you just don't know what you're going to get. It might be aces all around or there may be lots of problems. Usually the source material has to be up to a certain par before they'll let it go. I just listened to the Auditorium Theatre show and was disappointed when Jerry's vocal fell out of the mix on Bertha. So I guess every recording had the same snark in it? They couldn't find a patch for it? That is the point of doing these things up, after all. I do hope there are no other errors like that in the rest of the box. I give high praise for the artwork and graphics decoration for this box. Rhino has definitely outdone themselves and hit a peak on this edition that will not be easily outdone. As good as it was, I find Spring 90 to be the polar opposite. It just seems to be a question of refined vs. unrefined; cerebral vs. crayola. Pardon my analogies. My collection of '77 was not very extensive and I expect to get a lot of hours of listening pleasure out of these discs. For the greatest measure of grading, a very well done (as long as all the discs are in pristine condition w/o need of return)!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 5 months

Submitted by easywind1953 on Sat, 11/16/2013 - 22:40

Permalink

I did the right thing and got the tour. Each city concert just gets hotter. Sound quality is great. This is a special set. The magic is there in May and goes on and on. wow!!! Love the St.Louis show. Jerry is on fire. I was there for that show. Didn't realize how hot that show was. Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months

Submitted by Underthevolcano on Wed, 11/20/2013 - 05:11

Permalink

I put these into ipod for listening while exercizing-great shows to focus on. This box is one of the best along with the 90 and 72 boxes.(also the winterland boxes from 77 and 73) Lucky Deadheads!
user picture

Member for

15 years 7 months

Submitted by guit30 on Mon, 02/17/2014 - 23:54

Permalink

This is an excellent set, why hasn't it sold out? Wow,listening to this weeks Jam, it is great, "Loose Lucy" , It is so different than I ever heard them perform, real staccato and it rocks,NICE JAM, IT SAYS FROM dp6 , great stuff, I did not get Dave's Pick, the last one out, from Montana,74. Want to look for DP31, I was at one of the 3 shows represented there. The Civic Center 8/4/74, it takes up 2 of the 4 discs. I'm glad,that the Rhino /Dead crew let the DP series live, some of hem are gems, others not so much,Listening to a great China Cat on this DP6.
user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months

Submitted by Underthevolcano on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 04:18

Permalink

have competed with physical product I would guess. But, I think this will sell out prior to the end of the holidays with giftgiving. Much more fun to get this glorious physical box set, IMHO. Data is data but the physical set is a thing to behold. I would never part with mine or my other physical sets like Europe 72, Spring 1990,etc.
user picture

Member for

13 years 7 months

Submitted by rajha2 on Fri, 11/29/2013 - 00:01

Permalink

Underthevolcano is no doubt right; Downloads will have played their part. But also, I think they got the numbers just about exactly right; I had to pass early on for lack of funds; it was great to get my chance and buy it last month. Doubly nice to see the scalpers caught out on eBay too. I hope it's worked for Rhino and GDP being able to keep some inventory on hand for less than a year to keep printing money AND locking out speculative purchases. I hope for similar numbers in the future, with downloads.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by claney on Mon, 12/09/2013 - 07:56

Permalink

The May 1977 Box is #6 on the Rolling Stone list of the Top 10 Reissues of the year. So let's see, it's not a "reissue" since the shows have never been released before. If I were at Rolling Stone I'd argue that they should have a "archival release" category, but oh well. Also seems a bit weird that once again they are ignoring Veneta. Good ole Fricke really loves his 77 I guess.
user picture

Member for

13 years 1 month

Submitted by katky111 on Tue, 12/10/2013 - 14:49

Permalink

Like the continuing popularity of the core classic composers and exalted religious texts, the great music of rock's seminal acts endures not as antiquated nostalgia, but living, breathing words and sound that still profoundly change lives or simply entertain in a way contemporary artists largely fail. Built largely around mining, exploiting, and disposing of the next young talent, the sustained popularity of 30-40 year old performances by the Dead, Young, The Doors, Jimmy, Janis, et al, defies appropriate classification or constructive recognition by the industry paradigm. "Reissue", indeed./K
user picture

Member for

11 years

Submitted by AugWest1980 on Thu, 12/19/2013 - 06:46

Permalink

I have been enjoying this site since its inception. I'm always curious to read the thoughts on releases and any other news revolving around this community. (I do still miss the days of receiving the almanac in the mail) One thing I'm not interested in is some phony compliment followed by a link to whatever DVD sets you're pushing. You are not adding to this forum. I had never joined or posted a commented before but we don't need this. Thanks to all of you that I have been enjoying for years. Have a safe, healthy, happy, holiday season.
product sku
081227965365