I guess the first reviewer didn't listen to the Playin' -> Other One... which is very nice... Not sure what would please someone if they're critical of '77 Dead.

Despite the scathing first review, I listened to the show and I'm glad that I did! First, the recording is very good. The show itself stands on its own with an inspired Minglewood Blues and a touching Peggy-O. The gaps between songs of tuning, with Bobby talking to the audience, is also a nice touch. Brings you back in time. I'm not sure what the first reviewer was listening to, but this is a good show. Very solid. Maybe not the "best" of 1977 but a very entertaining show that I would certainly listen to often.

I tend to not rate shows based upon performance and this is why. The guy below kills this show. I am thankful he articulated his reasons, but for as many complaints there are about people overrating shows the same must be said about being overly critical. Maybe it's not the best show they did all year, that month, or that week, but what sets the standard to call this horrible? Horrible to me are some of the 93-95 ones with first sets that could fit on one side of the tape and samba in the rain going into drums with easy answers out of space. Maybe Philly 85 had some horrible moments, but this show horrible? I am not so sure I agree. I think it is more than listenable. Maybe some people are just spoiled by the great ones.

Well, maybe not "horrible," but it's a truly underwhelming one. Hmm, yeah, OK, it's horrible.

I'm guessing that the magic makers are starting to run out of pre-schlock, pre-coma, pre-'83, quality performances to enhance. Dave did a good job on the mix, it's a good SBD, and the voice mics are well balanced with the instruments (which is always my top concern for collecting matrixes).

But Jesus, the overall performance is lame with the singing being particularly bad. And with there being no energy at all in the house, it's totally forgettable. The Wheel is one of the funniest ever heard with the singing being so pitiful, it was to laugh. And the song's energy is lethally lethargic which put me off to listening to the rest of the set. It's obvious the 200 ton steam locomotive that was the - in their prime - 1977 Grateful Dead, plum ran out of lignite and subbituminous this day. The mortality is certainly appreciated with this being one of the best years in their illustrious career. Hey, nobody's perfect.

Mr. Dusborne's work is to be respected. Unfortunately, no magic mixing in the world can save this three-weeks-early turkeyfest. Generally, an average or below average rating is given to a show because the mics are horribly hot and Jerry is bouncing the patented Garcia Cringe-O-Meter to its limits. Tonight, it's a group "effort" from being thouroughly worn out. And in saying that, It's surprisingly rare to get a clunker in '77.

I was hoping - at the very least - to steal one good song. Alas, none could be found. This is the first one star rating given a matrix. It's not even on par with the 10/28/79 show which teetered on complete disaster per Jerry's vocal breakdown. That show was given two stars simply because Bobby did a yeoman's job of carrying the night and (despite Jerry's loss of voice) the playing from everyone was pretty good. So it's on to the east coast...

Xoxo to you, David.