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 19, 2017 - 11:01am

#721

Alain

Joined:
June 8, 2007

Frosted

I find your post very interesting. There are certain interpretations of songs that, for me, go beyond music, which are not only very good music, but awaken something rare in my mind - but not systematically. A bit like a mystical experience. For me, the pieces of Cornell that we talked about are sometimes open doors to these magical moments. As for my English, I use Google's translation tool!
February 19, 2017 - 10:42am

#722

Alain

Joined:
June 8, 2007

Hello, FloridaBobalooToo

A Parisian Deadhead greets you. You seem to know Paris. When I attended my first Dead concert (at L'Olympia in Paris), I was an 18-year-old boy. I am now an old man who sometimes walks in the Jardin du Luxembroug. At my next walk along the banks of the Seine, I will think of you.
February 19, 2017 - 10:42am

#723

frosted

Joined:
August 8, 2016

Wow Alain

That was a really good and interesting description of the Cornell Scarlett/Fire. I should take some English lessons from you. Those Scar/Fires and Morning Dews from Cornell are my favorites too, and are mostly what makes Barton Hall unusually good for me. Like Keith said also, I find the post '71 St. Stephens to be a bit ponderous, and just lacking the crackling edge of the earlier ones, though still plenty worthy on 5/8. I find that there are certain and a limited number of Dead tune versions that transcend what is normally just music to me, and become what seems to me more like a journey, or a place they take you along to, which can vary from listening to listening. Not really in a trippy way, but this place is rare and built inside the mind, and goes beyond the normal listening experience. I think the first time I experienced this was the Dark Star sequence on one side of my early LP of Live/Dead way back when. It doesn't happen every time I listen to those type of tunes' versions, but when it does, it's what makes this band different than any other to me. As much as I like a lot of different versions of Scarlett/Fire, when I listen to every note and phrase, and loudly with earphones locking out other distractions, the Barton Hall version is the one that brings this to me most uniquely. Of course, for others on this board, your mileage may vary.
February 19, 2017 - 10:01am

#724

FloridaBobalooToo

Joined:
February 17, 2017

Bonjour Alain!

I love the fact you're in Paris digging the Dead.I wish I was watching the old guys play boules in the Luxembourg Gardens today, and then over to the Place de Contrescarpe for a beverage or two. Maybe down to join the young folks by the river later..........
February 19, 2017 - 9:56am

#725

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Shots fired over the starboard bow....

....all Phish heads are posers? Lol. Some maybe, but not this guy. Slept in this morning. Going to see Ween tonight at the Brooklyn Bowl. Had to rest up. Big fan of Gene and Dean and I have never seen them. That ends tonight....
February 19, 2017 - 9:55am

#726

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

May 1977 x2

Bertha from Buffalo gets a lot of attention on Heady Version. Never heard it. Like Gollum, I've had these dhows, but don't lite to them. I did check out Scarlet / Fire, and it sounded hot, no doubt; I just didn't find it to be leaps and bounds above others - bu that could change once I hear the Full Norman a binch of times. There was also a time when I listened to the 3 Morning Dews from Spring '77 in order a few times (5/8, 5/22, and 6/7). They were all great, I recall, and I believe the closing flutter of guitar strumming went on a bit longer at Cornell; however I don't remember feeling like it was that much better than the other two. But that being said, I've still yet to give Cornell an extended study, and I know shows grow on us with repeated listening. I'm hoping that Cornell ends up having the best version of every song played there, by the time I'm into it full boar. Will Brown-Eyed Women really top DP 29, DaP 1, and DaP 12? Tall order, but I'm hoping. Will I find something exceptional about Estimated Prophet that holds a candle to the 1978 versions, which IMHO are much better on a good night than their '77 counterparts. Will I enjoy St. Stephen? I've never really enjoyed the post-hiatus versions as much as '69-'71. They're mostly throwaways in my mind, neither transformative nor exciting. If I listen to the Ladies and Gentlemen's version side by side with any other post-hiatus vesion, I'm always floored by '71, and bored by post-hiatus...but I'm hopeful for Cornell. I have a feeling the magic will be similar to DaP 1, which is how 5/5 was described: sum is better than the parts of the whole. Not sure if my comments came off as critical of Cornell, but if so, what I'm really trying to say is that I sm really looking forward to it, and that hope it delivers in spades! I'm really looking foreward to Buffalo. Help / Slip! / Franklin is such a kick-ass opener, and the rest of the 1St set is full of my songs. The 2ND set Cones A Time im interested in, and even the Sugar Mag / UJB is supposedly much better than other '77 renditions. I think I'm going to enjoy Boston a whole lot too (I hear the Mississippi Half-Step is one of the all time best, and I think we get a rare '77 Wheel, which is one of my favorite post-hiatus performed tunes). Jimbo - I also love DaP 18. It truly realizes the full potential of that year. I would say it's in my top 5 Dave's Picks. I find the shows hit or miss in '76. I felt 30 Trips missed, for me at least. Very flat sound and I guess flat performnce up until end of disc 2 / and parts of disc 3, where I recall some cool jamming.
February 19, 2017 - 9:53am

#727

Alain

Joined:
June 8, 2007

I totally agree with you,

I totally agree with you, JimInMD. Many Dead concerts are "the best". Cornell is one of those (and not the least). When I listen on December 31, 1972, it is the best concert I know. When I listen on August 27, 1972, May 19, 1974, or the first concert I attended (May 4, 1972), it is always the best concert. And there are so many others ... Thank you for the original Morning Dew!
February 19, 2017 - 9:48am

#728

MaineHead72

Joined:
January 25, 2015

Ray of Sunshine!

Excluding the initial ordering fiasco, this is the first REALLY GOOD NEWS of 2017! Many thanks to everyone involved in the process, and I look forward to TAKIN' A STEP BACK come May!
February 19, 2017 - 9:42am

#729

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

5-8-77 is not overrated

It's on the pedestal where it belongs.But it's a big pedestal and there is room for other shows too. Like many people posted a few weeks back, it was the best sounding cassette tape in the collection and the show was smokin'! Eventually other good sounding cassettes came along, and eventually I was getting metal cassettes that were 1st or 2nd gen from DAT, but some were shows where the band sounded like an orchestra on Valium (great analogy Alain). I'm ready for this Box.....but May 5 is a long way away. Heinz ketchup song: "anticipation, it's making me wait" Deadbase 50: I thought it was sold out but it's on this site for $89.99.
February 19, 2017 - 9:19am

#730

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Great Post Alain

I will blow this quote.. but I think its in McNally's book. That of David Crosby who referred to Grateful Dead improvisation as mid-air, real time sculptures. Works of art. As for Cornell being over-rated? There's so much hype around the show its hard to say it is not deserved. I always interpreted comments of hype vs. hyperbole to mean not that Cornell is over-rated, but more this is what they did night after night.. Perhaps there are many shows that are as good as Cornell. In other words, the hype, legend and lore is deserved.. its a great show, but there are a lot of great shows and arguably many that are as good, perhaps better. Fair statement? Anyway.. great post, I had to chime in and support it. That Scarlet Fire is one of the great ones.. and I've never met a Morning Dew I did not like. If anyone out there has not heard Bonnie Dobson's original, its worth knowing at least where this song originally came from.

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