MAY 1977: Get Shown The Light Box

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February 1, 2017 - 2:34pm

1,389 replies

heatherlew

Joined:
October 12, 2016

CLICK HERE FOR THE
ALL MUSIC EDITION
SOLD OUT

What's Inside:

Four Complete Shows on 11 discs
• 5/5/77 Veterans Memorial Coliseum: New Haven, CT
• 5/7/77 Boston Garden: Boston, MA
• 5/8/77 Barton Hall, Cornell University: Ithaca, NY
• 5/9/77 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium: Buffalo, NY
• Sourced from the Betty Boards, transfered by Plangent Processes
• Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
• Artwork by Grammy-winning graphic artist Masaki Koike
• The unreleased book Cornell ‘77: The Music, The Myth And The Magnificence Of The Grateful Dead’s Concert At Barton Hall by Peter Conners, published by Cornell University Press
• In-depth essay by noted Dead scholar Nicholas Meriwether
• Producer's Note by David Lemieux
• Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
• Release Date: May 5, 2017

WHAT DEAD HEADS HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT...

NEW HAVEN 5/5/77
"Here is a prime example of the saying ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’ … It’s called synergy and the Dead wrote the book on it.”

BOSTON 5/7/77
“The music they laid down brought me places I had not been before.”

CORNELL 5/8/77
“...the single best rock performance anywhere, anytime, by anyone.”

“There was just some kind of magical connection this night between the band members and the band and the audience - some texture, or some type of cosmic or celestial force is in the room.”

"This show is, was, and always will be Mecca.”

BUFFALO 5/9/77
"...an awesome display of the Dead’s captivating power"

If you've been following this site for quite some time, then you will know we are often flush with hyperbole when it comes to our releases. We can't help it, really - for we, like you, are Grateful Dead fans above all else. Just like you, we've spent countless hours debating the merits of show over show, year over year. We've kept a watchful eye on your wish-lists and carefully considered how to make - excuse the cliché - your dreams come true. And once we've made our commitments, we are steadfast in our determination to conjure up those dreams fully-formed and nearly perfect. Sometimes these heights cannot be reached without physical and cosmic elements aligning, and that, dear friends, is why it has taken so long for us to bring you THE ONE and the epic shows that surrounded it. No need for even the slightest embellishment here, 5/8/77 Barton Hall, Cornell University: Ithaca, NY, has for decades, been THE resounding favorite; you've said it yourselves - the "holy grail" of Grateful Dead shows. Thanks to the passion and perseverance of Dead Heads like you, we are beyond pleased to finally be able to present this show and its brethren, the fabled four of Spring '77, in sonically pristine condition.

Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, MAY 1977: GET SHOWN THE LIGHT is a collection of what is unanimously believed to be the most sought-after previously unreleased complete shows the Grateful Dead ever played. Collected, traded, and debated for decades, "the beloved Golden Trinity" of Boston, Ithaca, and Buffalo, along with their New Haven prelude, have inspired fans to "get on the bus," converted critics, and even garnered national attention (Cornell was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry). But until now, you've never really heard them quite like this!

The Dead is in the details... how serendipitous is it that the notorious Betty Boards were returned to the archive just in time for the 40th anniversaries of these shows? Lovingly sourced from these well-reputed recordings, we invite you to experience four utopian shows just like they happened, to "be inside the music" as engineer Betty Cantor-Jackson intended. Whether you listen to each night on its own or imbibe the whole lot at once, we suspect you'll hear why every note mattered. Much like we were, you will be hard-pressed to determine which of these fine documents - will it be the understated but nuanced New Haven, Boston's festive fantasy vibes, the monumental catharsis of Ithaca, or Buffalo’s dreamy exuberance - is truly "the best." Does it really matter? We think not.

Due May 5th, we anticipate that this revelatory boxed set will 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.

Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

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February 18, 2017 - 10:31am

#771

80sfan

Joined:
April 17, 2015

S>F download

Finally listened to the scarlet>fire download that came with the purchase. It sounds amazing and i'm so excited for the full release. One very pleasant surprise...on the tape i had all these years, there is a woman in the crowd who quickly screams for a sec just as Jerry finishes the line: As i picked up my matches, and was closing the door (1:41 mark). I'm happy to say that this mystery woman's scream of delight was not cleaned up or edited out of the official release. It's the little things...
February 18, 2017 - 10:07am

#772

mcgruber

Joined:
March 8, 2015

We need more Brent shows

I'm ecstatic about the early May 77 box set and placed my order before they broke the internet the other day, but what I really yearn for these days are more releases with Brent and Jerry with his newly defined sound in the early 90s. I hope Dave finds a nice gem to release for DP 24 or beyond.
February 18, 2017 - 9:51am

#773

Kesey The Cat

Joined:
May 6, 2013

Scarlet Fire

I suppose it's too much to ask for you to make the Scarlet>Fire one big file so when it comes up on my bar's jukebox it will play without interruption?
February 18, 2017 - 9:50am

#774

claney

Joined:
July 20, 2007

Non-Dead Betty's, Live 'Blows Against the Empire'

mbarilla, ah, maybe it is 2/27 and not 5/4 as I feared (as the other missing show). In addition to the exciting Dead release possibilities this opens (the BCT 72 run!, Swing!, 10/29/77!) and on and on, does anyone know if the returned Betty's include non-Dead stuff? There's some mouthwatering JG shows with Nicky Hopkins that would be sweet. And some really odd stuff which I'd love to hear - this one jumped out at me: Jefferson Starship 11.24.74 Winterland, whole show (with entire Blows Against the Empire suite) Hell yeah to that one...
February 18, 2017 - 9:46am

#775

Whit Wye

Joined:
February 16, 2017

Is an HDCD deck worth it for these?

Has anyone here done A/B tests of Dead HDCDs between decks that decode HDCD and decks that just play them as CDs? I'm pretty happy playing Dead HDCDs on a Onkyo C-7030 deck, but it doesn't claim to know anything about HDCD decoding. The decks that do claim to do HDCD, by the likes of Oppo and Emotiva, are priced at $500 and up. From reading up on it, HDCD provides a menu of options for the sound engineer, not all of which are always used. Seems like the main loss in playing them as CDs would be in flattened peaks. And that they should have increased resolution in quieter passages no matter what they're played on. The Dead have a lot of quieter passages, and they do sound good on my current system. On the loud passages, am I missing something? I generally hate the compression of, say FM radio, but I'm not feeling like the reported compression artifact of playing HDCD as CD is in that range of obvious annoyance. Still, would the sound just open up in an obvious way with the right deck?
February 18, 2017 - 9:32am

#776

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Schwing to the Swing

Vault lacks 2 shows from 1977 , 6.4.77 and ? I think its the night after Swing Auditorium , in Santa Barbara , 2.27.77 ?
February 18, 2017 - 9:24am

#777

mbarilla

Joined:
August 8, 2013

Mr. Jack Straw, 30 trips selections

for some years they went with the A plus banger, for others they went with B+ bangers, there was a strategy with all factors considered. Song selection was a major, as well as performance. SQ took third. And taking into account what they wanted to do with other series/box sets was major in selection process. One example is 1977, 4.25.77 or 5.26.77 ? could have went with either, but I was always under the impression 5.26.77 will be selected as a stand alone release. Both excellent shows but is either A+ ? Example from 1967, 11.10.67 or 10.22.67 ? both killer but i am under the impression the 10.22.67 will be released as studio remaster bonus disc, similar to new ly released 7.29.66 with GD debut album. Its only one disc compared to the two from 11.10.67. No doubt that 11.10.67 is one of the finest to be ever released and near the top of 30 trips selections with all factors considered for 70's shows they could have filled the set with all A+ bangers and used some of these betty boards. I am pretty sure they have had access to these for a good amount of time, like before even before May 2015. I also mentioned recently that the 2016 Dave's Picks selections could have been in the 30 trips - 1974, 1976, 1970, 1981 other selection factor, some shows build off each other because of song selection. "Viola Lee Blues" is the first example 1966-67, but it really picks up in the 80's some of these similarities were stand out moments from each show, but its really all good to me 80-81 "Feel Like A Stranger" 81-82 "Truckin" 82-83 "Scarlet Fire" "UJB" 83-84 "Playin"->"UJB" 84-85 Couldnt really find much similarity with the shows 85-86 "They Love Each Other" 86-87 "They Love Each Other" "Man Smart Woman Smarter" 87-88 "Hell in a Bucket"-> "Sugaree" "Walkin Blues" "Bird Song" "Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad" to be fair a lot of the shows from the 70's had just as many SQ issues as 80's , the big difference and reason 70s era does not stick out like sore thumb in some of the cases is the method and materials to how they were recorded. I said at the time if some of these were stand alone releases no matter which year or era, some fans would be complaining, because they have cuts, patches, dropouts, but since it was lumped together its almost an afterthought for some shows. But the 80s shows took a lot of the hits , as usual also some of these shows would not have been released in my opinion without this 30 show set. And I am not strictly talking about 80s / 90s either way Rhinos keep the Grateful Dead releases coming, I can find something to like from any show
February 18, 2017 - 9:19am

#778

claney

Joined:
July 20, 2007

Why 15,000

hey Mr7171551, I hear ya about getting older. If they release these for 20 years (I sure hope physical media will still be around that long), I'll be 67 when they're done. And then lots to listen to in retirement :) As for why only 15,000 copies - my 2 cents is that it makes perfect sense. It's fairly hardcore Deadheads who want the other three shows in the box, even though I think most of us agree they're all on par with Cornell (and my favorite of all four shows is actually 5/9/77 not least because of that Help>Slip>Franklin's). Anyway, the 50,000 worldwide will be true for Cornell because, right or wrong, even casual fans, not to mention fans of "jambands" - have heard of Cornell. Not so much New Haven, alas. Having said that, I surely was alarmed that the box could sell out before I got my order past the electronic bugbears. PS - Keithfan, I like "May 1977 TOO (The Old One)" - nice.
February 18, 2017 - 8:31am

#779

UncleBill'sBand

Joined:
January 4, 2014

Future releases

Well, now I just need to stay alive for the next,how did Dave put it?-5/10/20 years!!!! Ha, bloody, Ha. Need to move those Betty boards a bit faster before us older Deadheads just up and become members of The Grateful Dead ourselves. Just saying.P.s the Berkeley Theater 1972 box set- Can I pre-order it now? I'm getting too old for another Thursday debacle. I live in the UK and ended up getting up at 5am Friday(our time) to try and complete the bloody order. Now that Warner Elektra are taking my money, you'd a thought a big company like that would have been able to handle the release. Also, why limit the box set to 15,000? I'm certain you could easily sell 50,000 around the world.
February 18, 2017 - 8:12am

#780

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

Box Sets

Yeah, good point Mr. Jack Straw, about the Bettys. Did they ever say how many shows were recovered? I'm with you guys on the box sets - it's not so much that I care if they release 80s, I just don't want it to be at the expense of having to wait for the good stuff, like the '76 tapes, Port Chester, Fillmore East, Summer / Fall '72, mid-1973, Winterland '74, etc. But I don't believe Rhino is about to go experimenting at this point. I think they released the runs of 80s / 90s shows they thought were marketable, and are focused on the best stuff left in the Vault now. If there were to be a later era box, I think the Vince years are preferable, with no MIDI, if that was even going on during his tenure. I just dig his keyboard style more, and I'm back into enjoying the harmony vocals again. Syracuse 78 - lol, you said it man, exactly what I was thinking when I had my own ordering issues - when have they ever handled volume well. And part of it, no doubt, is what someone else mentioned already - the problem was exacerbated by all of the double / triple / quadruple clicking. Well at least it was cleared up and everyone who wants one can get one.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

CLICK HERE FOR THE
ALL MUSIC EDITION

SOLD OUT

What's Inside:

Four Complete Shows on 11 discs
• 5/5/77 Veterans Memorial Coliseum: New Haven, CT
• 5/7/77 Boston Garden: Boston, MA
• 5/8/77 Barton Hall, Cornell University: Ithaca, NY
• 5/9/77 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium: Buffalo, NY
• Sourced from the Betty Boards, transfered by Plangent Processes
• Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
• Artwork by Grammy-winning graphic artist Masaki Koike
• The unreleased book Cornell ‘77: The Music, The Myth And The Magnificence Of The Grateful Dead’s Concert At Barton Hall by Peter Conners, published by Cornell University Press
• In-depth essay by noted Dead scholar Nicholas Meriwether
• Producer's Note by David Lemieux
• Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 15,000
• Release Date: May 5, 2017

WHAT DEAD HEADS HAVE BEEN SAYING ABOUT...

NEW HAVEN 5/5/77
"Here is a prime example of the saying ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’ … It’s called synergy and the Dead wrote the book on it.”

BOSTON 5/7/77
“The music they laid down brought me places I had not been before.”

CORNELL 5/8/77
“...the single best rock performance anywhere, anytime, by anyone.”

“There was just some kind of magical connection this night between the band members and the band and the audience - some texture, or some type of cosmic or celestial force is in the room.”

"This show is, was, and always will be Mecca.”

BUFFALO 5/9/77
"...an awesome display of the Dead’s captivating power"

If you've been following this site for quite some time, then you will know we are often flush with hyperbole when it comes to our releases. We can't help it, really - for we, like you, are Grateful Dead fans above all else. Just like you, we've spent countless hours debating the merits of show over show, year over year. We've kept a watchful eye on your wish-lists and carefully considered how to make - excuse the cliché - your dreams come true. And once we've made our commitments, we are steadfast in our determination to conjure up those dreams fully-formed and nearly perfect. Sometimes these heights cannot be reached without physical and cosmic elements aligning, and that, dear friends, is why it has taken so long for us to bring you THE ONE and the epic shows that surrounded it. No need for even the slightest embellishment here, 5/8/77 Barton Hall, Cornell University: Ithaca, NY, has for decades, been THE resounding favorite; you've said it yourselves - the "holy grail" of Grateful Dead shows. Thanks to the passion and perseverance of Dead Heads like you, we are beyond pleased to finally be able to present this show and its brethren, the fabled four of Spring '77, in sonically pristine condition.

Limited to 15,000 individually numbered copies, MAY 1977: GET SHOWN THE LIGHT is a collection of what is unanimously believed to be the most sought-after previously unreleased complete shows the Grateful Dead ever played. Collected, traded, and debated for decades, "the beloved Golden Trinity" of Boston, Ithaca, and Buffalo, along with their New Haven prelude, have inspired fans to "get on the bus," converted critics, and even garnered national attention (Cornell was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry). But until now, you've never really heard them quite like this!

The Dead is in the details... how serendipitous is it that the notorious Betty Boards were returned to the archive just in time for the 40th anniversaries of these shows? Lovingly sourced from these well-reputed recordings, we invite you to experience four utopian shows just like they happened, to "be inside the music" as engineer Betty Cantor-Jackson intended. Whether you listen to each night on its own or imbibe the whole lot at once, we suspect you'll hear why every note mattered. Much like we were, you will be hard-pressed to determine which of these fine documents - will it be the understated but nuanced New Haven, Boston's festive fantasy vibes, the monumental catharsis of Ithaca, or Buffalo’s dreamy exuberance - is truly "the best." Does it really matter? We think not.

Due May 5th, we anticipate that this revelatory boxed set will 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.

Looking for something a little more byte-sized? The collection will also be available for HD digital download in FLAC and ALAC, exclusively at dead.net, on release day.

wow

Even though we all knew it was coming, just seeing it here gives me goose bumps! Can't wait...

Ordered

Yes indeed, my copy is ordered. Oh happy day!!

Bingo!!

....same artist as the first 1977 box. Neat!....

Order Processed

A very big day in modern Grateful Dead history. Way to go guys.. this place is going to go nuts.

Another Sucker on the Vine...

First off, these are truly great shows. If you are one of the few folks here debating whether or not the quality of all four shows stands up to the price tag, I will say that YES, they are that good. That being said, I would hazard to guess that most of us who frequent this site have had great sounding recordings of these shows for many years. Is it worth ponying up $154 to have the artwork, the book, and Normanized versions of these shows? Well,... I didn't really hesitate. Besides, its a credit card, not real money, right? Would I have liked some other shows released as a box? Sure. Will I enjoy the hell out of this set. I have been for years :) Peace

BAM

so nice. very happy. Sixtus F that. I'm GIDDY!!!!

Confirmed

Scooped this one up quick. Now we all just have to wait for May. Unzipping the digital single now...

Oh Yeah

couldn't get my credit card out quick enough would love to know what the other 350 reels contain

I'm in

New Haven was my second show...3rd row center. That second set is burnt into my brain. First show was Palladium on 5/01. My original Cornell cassette is spliced with scotch tape, so this should be a fine upgrade.

Sweet

A grateful dead letter day. Thanks Dave.

The one everybody has been waiting for

Personally I think Buffalo is the best show of the run. Cornell's popularity is a result of being in early wide circulation as a well recorded show. "Best show ever" status could be applied to many performances throughout their 30 year career, but there's no doubt that Cornell is a good one. One of the earliest soundboard bootlegs in my collection from when I first started collecting tapes in the late-'80's. As a four show release, this is a little pricey though.

Cross posted from DaP 21

Don't want anyone getting frustrated trying to order this, so in case anyone else has this issue, here's a note I posted on the 21 board: Tip for anyone ordering online - I have had problems in the past ordering where the site shows an order in my cart at first, but then shows empty when I click to get to the checkout page. I think I remember other people mentioning a problem like this on previous orders too. That happened to me when using "never" allow third party cookies in Firefox. Changing that setting to "always" allow third party cookies took me to a proper checkout page. So anyone having problems with checkout may want to try setting cookies to allow all. Thanks, Dave and Company!

Knew this would be the box this year

40th anniversary, Betty Boards back, inevitable. Cornell was my first DAT back in '93. I'd had a couple really dreadful sounding tapes I'd received from friends over the years and a few insanely expensive bootleg CDs of some recent shows I'd picked up; "European imports", finally figured I should just start trading, bought a Tascam DA88, found a dude offering to trade for blanks and postage and a week later got a package with a tape saying "play this first", it was like a blind man seeing for the first time! Don't know what took me so long, I'd been seeing as many shows as I could manage since '87. Good times.

YABADABDOO!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got off the phone with Customer Service as I had difficulty on website. e-mail confirmation sent!! THANK YOU DAVE!! I haven't listened to these shows ever, so I am really excited!!

So awesome

I heard a rumor and then it got confirmed :) Then I guessed on my fan site http://gratefulseconds.blogspot.com/2017/01/rumor-grateful-dead-acquire…

OMG

You've never heard Cornell? Unless you've just recently got on the bus, that's a rarity.

Buffalo is incredible

Goosebumps! 80S fan you said it!

This is going to be the hottest box yet. Sure we have archive and our old maxell XLIIs, but his is going to be something altogether else... I will be ordering the box and the vinyl!! Sick Sick Sick! I guess I need to start eating beans and rice now.

Confirmed!

Need I say more?

Twice as nice

Sure, I have nice-sounding recordings of all these shows, there's no way I can't get this. Pre-order done. Now, I will forget all about this until some time in early May when I'll get this set in the mail and it will make my day.

5/9

Spacebrother - Always loved 5/9 and my copy (while decent) is probably nothing compared to what the official release will sound like. So excited for this box.

I have to get this off my chest...

I have always preferred Buffalo to Cornell. There.. I said it. Glad we are getting the whole lot at once. Happy day, I'm giddy too.

Once again, encountering

Once again, encountering difficulties ordering this product. What the ever loving fuck is wrong with this place?

Yeah baby

DONE! So glad I checked in this morning.

The site just crashed!

It was just down for about 20 minutes. They must be getting hammered!

Cart

Cart says 8, I just want one, then when I go to cart, it says it's empty. FFS, what is happening???

MAY 77

YES YES YES PRE ORDERED HAPPY HAPPY THURSDAY

Got my copy ordered

Now theres nothing left to do but smile smile smile... and listen to this Scarlet>Fire digital download over and over again

Wowie, wowie, wowie zowie!!

I never thought I'd see the day. Thank you, Dave, Rob, Dead, Mark, Rhino, et al.

I think it is funny that

my order confirmation is in the email box marked 1:20 PM CST and the announcement email is marked 1:54 PM CST!

Got my copy ordered

Now theres nothing left to do but smile smile smile... and listen to this Scarlet>Fire digital download over and over again

May '77

Has it really been 40 years?!?!?!? Got my pre-order in, this box will be amazing and will nicely complement the earlier May '77 release (5/11-5/17).

I think we broke something!

Looks like their might be a little bit of excitement for this release. The site just crashed out like crazy. I have my order page all filled out. I think I will wait a little bit before I check out so they can work out the kinks. Don't want to be charged 25 times or not receive a confirmation. Always some weirdness to work out after such a barrage of activity. Well this is the one I have been waiting for! Very excited to see this run finally being released. A very grateful day indeed!

In.

Confirmed. Finally, an official 5-5-77 ,my birthday show with a standalone St. Stephen. My given name minus the St. :) Happy day Dead friends!

Can't order

Site keeps crashing - managed one time to get as far as putting in my address details and then it crashed - back to the start again but won't move from the initial page! Why is ordering from here always such a problem!

Thank you

Thank you Betty, Dave, Rhino...and the band. It's a good day.

OMG...

Take my money already!!!! I can't get this site to cooperate with the placing of my order!

CAN'T ORDER - KEEPS CRASHING!!!!

Dang dead.net- why does this happen way too much!!!

CAN'T ORDER - KEEPS CRASHING!!!!

Dang dead.net- why does this happen way too much!!!

Buffalo!

I have to say, I have always preferred this show to the night before it. I cannot wait to hear Jerry's jam during TMNS, finally, in perfect sound quality! The splice of the listenable audience source, during the tape flip of the soundboard has always been one of those slightly cringing moments, during an amazing jam! Its there, too, on the Hunter Seamons matrix. Again, the patch, to me has always been listenable, but i have been waiting for this gem given its proper treatment, and official release for many, many, years! The help/slip/frank opener is my favorite, of all time! And the wonderfully beautiful Comes a Time, is pure bliss! Just an all out amazing concert! The rest of the box, is the absolute goods, no doubt! I cannot wait! Thank you to all involved! Now if i can just get my order to go through!!!

081227935153