This is another one of those somewhat laid back, relaxing 76 shows.

There are quite a few highlights. The band sounds particularly in sync (and in tune) during the first few songs of the first set. Might As Well, Cassidy, Jimmy, and Rain all sound marvelous. There is a bit of stumbling in the very first Lightning -> Supplication, though it can be forgiven. Scarlet features a particularly enjoyable jam, one that makes me wish Scarlet > Fire was a thing at the time, a harbinger of things to come. Overall, the first set is quite solid, a real joy to listen to.

Tuning issues plague the beginning of the second set. Even after tuning, things sound a bit off. You can hear in the audience banter near one of the recorders that they seem to have given up on a few jams early.

And that's when it hits. The Help > Slip > Franklin here is absolutely marvelous. The jam is slow but thick, the harmonies are out of this world, and the music seems to continue into the eternities.

Help > Slip > Frank makes this show one for the ages.

As always, Hunter has done an incredible job with the mix. The source tapes on this show sound particularly crisp and sharp. If you listen with headphones on, you'll think that you're on stage with the band.

I was just going to listen to a few tunes
and I am already deep into Set One.

First Set : review
Might as Well is such a rowdy breakout!
(I kinda think Garcia was already playing this with JGB
also it is the First track on Reflections (Feb -76 -release)
the crowd is all in)
Cassidy smooth Donna adds sweetness
Row Jimmy-Mellowness
Looks Like Rain-Bobby & Donna
T.L.E.O- This is super mellow
(sometime in 77/78 they again gave this tune a little more be-bop)
Finally getting a little light rain here on the left coast of Florida
much needed , started to smell pretty smokey round here
as lightning strikes inland igniting dry Pine Forests in this County.
My Mango trees want more, more, more
Lazy Lightning>Supplication
Dig Weir's countoff for Lightning.
The sonic undertow along with Phil's bass line
Just nothing like it
Donna has the back-up just right
"Come on Lazy Lightning!"
Into the SUPPLICATION
great name for this jam cause Lightning is a proposition
and Supplication is a down on bended knee jam.
DIZZY AIN'T THE WORD FOR THE WAY..
(slight sound drop-out-bathroom break/hallway distance)
Back in High Cotton, Great JAM!
Matrix is nice because SOUND is BOARD quality plus
the feel of the show with audience makes for good ambience.
Folks calling for OMSN, (they will get to that Set Two)
BIG BOSS MAN (Come back in 85)
Candyman-Keeping things simmering, another melow one
with room for Garcia to stretch it out.
Donna sounds great backing Garcia
Jerry must have loved doing harmonies with her.
There is Keith tickling the ivory
WON'T YOU TELL EVERYBODY YOU MEET..
They had me hooked already but..
Music 🍒DJG-"There is a band out on the highway!"
Scarlet🍇Sky was yellow and the sun was blue..
beauty of a jam so ready for FIRE
First Jerry, then Phil, then Donna, then Garcia with DJG
Dancin'👣 --since your standing, might as well be dancing!
to close SET 1

Unbelievable! Had a crisp SBD cassette back in the day and probably wore it out. Exemplary versions of Fingers, LIG, Help/Slip/Franklins. Sick energy and so locked in for first show of year! Yikes!!!

Ridiculous. The recording, like so many other from this year, is spot on and yet another great example of Hunter's skill. The show is fantastic and I especially like the H>S>F with the extended Slipknot being a masterclass in what made the Dead the Dead. Phil is rock solid and Keith lays down some stunning work in support of Jerry's typical mastery. Not like the explosive and thundering shows that were to come in the following year, this one takes its time, mellowing like an exceptional vintage, its color and flavor slowing growing and maturing. Hot damn, boys, well done.

Nice sounding matrix with excellent playing, picking up where Spring 1974 left off, but with new songs. The Slipknot is intense. It almost trainwrecks at the end, but Jerry makes the save.

This was my first Grateful Dead show. My brother took me when I was a Jr. in high school. After all these (38) years, I still treasure this night - and the 71 other shows that followed. I still have my June 3, 1976 ticket stub... $7.50! Thank you boyz for a real good time!
Randy J.

Jerry's sound is gorgeous here, light, lilting, just pure joy !

thanks for the rich, warm matrix, Hunter !

(~);-}

Nice show recording. I am in love with these matrix mixes. So much better than AUD at the beginning of the track only. Might As Well, Lazy/Supplication, Samson, and the Wheel are all new at this show. What a treat. It seems there was some technology development during '75 which leads to better transfers or something - after their break, these recordings are sounding better and better.

A fine example of where the whole (the matrix) is greater than the sum of the individual parts (the SBD and the AUD). Great clarity of vocals and instruments from the SBD and just enough (often less is more) added spice from the AUD.

You know the songs, you know the line-up, you know the era. So I won't bore you with a load of subjective waffle.

Aside to say: Play it loud - I like it when the glass rattles in the window frames and tiles start to fall off the roof.

Nice (understatement) work Hunter - up there with the Tobins !!!!!