Grateful Dead - To Terrapin: Hartford '77
Rhino Records

Rhino Records has just issued a new release from the Grateful Dead archives -and its a really great recording of a really great show: Hartford Civic Center - May 28, 1977.

It's been some time since I've been this excited about a new release.

This is a significant show, and has long been a favorite of traders... It was the final night of a massive Spring tour (26 shows in 37 days) and the band was HOT. In fact, among serious Deadheads, this show is on the short list of contenders for "best" Dead show ever.

Of course for most mere mortals, the "best" show was the one we attended.
I was lucky enough to see the Grateful Dead just a couple weeks earlier on this tour at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago (5.12.1977). And that show blew me away!

The Spring 1977 tour is noted for its sustained energy and creativity. I had first seen the Grateful Dead in June 1976 when they emerged from a two-year hiatus. Of course after that experience, I dived fully into the repertoire. But I was unprepared for the powerful new material unleashed on the unsuspecting crowds during the Spring Tour - including "Estimated Prophet" and "Terrapin Station." And Garcia introduced new guitar tones along with it... I personally love this era the most, so this recording is very evocative for me.

It was engineered by Betty Cantor-Jackson, and her recordings - known as "Betty Boards" - are famous for their quality. She mixed archival recordings for the band on a separate feed from the house P.A. mix. Her ideal was: “I want you to be inside the music. I don’t want stereos playing at you, I want you to be in there, I want it around you.” She accomplished it here. This Rhino release uses HDCD technolgy for the master tape transfer and the soundstage has great dimension.


Hartford Civic Center, May 28, 1977. Photo Credit: Peter Simon