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RE: Cornell 5/8/77

I'm a long time dead head, caught the bug in the late 70s. My first show was 5 8 78, Syracuse. Started taping them in 1982, when I went to Jamaica to see them. I'm like a 2nd generation taper, as those that came before me set the table by lighting a fire under my ars and inspiring me to capture the Dead for listening pleasure. Although I've seen them over 125 times, that pales compared to others I know. My college buddy probably saw them 700 or more times.

Man, do I have stories and many of them I think most would find a heck of a lot of fun. I was sober for most of my Dead experience. I just plain got off on the music. But occasionally, when the time was right, I filled my tank with high octane. I even had the privilege to have Bear patch out of me at one show in the 90 s. He wanted an audience recording because he said he found them to be more sonically interesting. He used a Sony D6, I was digital at the time.

I was pretty well connected with folks that had their hand in the vault, before any official releases started. And, knew folks that got first generation copies of Betty Boards when she unfortunately lost them to bidders on her storage unit. I remember doing 1 to 1 transfers for 36 hours trying to get as many of them as possible.

Anyway, Cornell 77 was one I quickly snatched up. It was around the mid early 90s. It was the first dbx transfer of the reel to reel masters. Prior to that, the board of that show was not dbx decoded and were sonically compromised. My copy became a first generation clone from the master reel to reel. If was the reference copy of the show until, I hope, this release. I've ordered the cd and vinyl. I can't wait to listen to them when they arrive.

I live in Ithaca, ny and went to the 5 8 77, release party at the State Theater. It was fun and they played Dancing through the rest of the show on a concert PA system. It certainly sounded different but that could be an improvement or it could be coloration from the pa. From folks I trust, they say it is an improvement. I'm itching to hear both the cd and vinyl.

IMO, is it the best show ever? Well, no, but it is damn good and I, frankly, couldn't tell you the best show ever. I do think the Dancing and Morning Dew are right up there. I like a Scarlet Fire but there is a point where Keith's piano is very repetitive and a bit annoying, but it is easy to hear past .

Anyway, there is also a book out now about the show and it is pretty interesting and actually weaves a historic perspective by using the show as a back drop but recognizing the greatest of the show, too. It is fun reading and highly recommended.



Edits: 05/12/17

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