Esoteric Jeff  (7/26/2026 7:32:23 AM)

In truth, "May 1977" doesn't start with this show, as many are averring here in the reviews; it actually begins back in late April, when the Dead first hit the road after finalizing TERRAPIN STATION. But man is this a fantastic show (clearly superior to 5/3/77, which was only selected because it heretofore didn't fully circulate), and it's great to find it here fully assembled. Killer "Half-Step" to open, and an ideal second set.

   RHC  (7/21/2026 7:21:26 PM)

I won’t say this show is where it all began for me. But it’s probably where it all began to sink in somewhere deep, deep down inside. I had seen the Dead several times (Frost Amphitheater, Oakland Coliseum, Shoreline) and JGB several times more (always at The Warfield), so I was already hooked. Then a friend gave me a tape of the second set of this show. I listened to it over and over, so many times that the tape started to stretch, which only made it more hypnotic. It became the soundtrack as I drove up and down the length of California, to and from school in Santa Cruz, with my head in the clouds. Hearing it again now on the Play Dead app (piped through a Synthesis Roma DC96+ tube amp and Audio Note AN-K speakers) is a whole new experience, and all the more transcendent.

   Esoteric Jeff  (6/24/2026 3:04:25 PM)

I am hugely grateful (bada-bing) to Play Dead for reassembling this show - originally put out there in fragments on three separate releases. It is, IMO vastly superior to 5/3/77 the night before (which got its own devoted Dave's Pick release) and indeed the formal beginning of their legendary "May run."

   Jake  (6/9/2026 2:29:42 PM)

The bomb-ass-dank-ass

   Timmessee Jed  (5/26/2026 8:05:13 PM)

That Brown Eyed Women is smokin!

   Shimanto  (5/14/2026 5:21:17 AM)

Not to mention it is 24/96.

   Martay  (5/10/2026 4:27:29 PM)

This show, or rather its presentation on this app, is an excellent example of why the app is so great for us. If before, I wanted to listen to this show in its entirety, I’d have to cobble together 5 songs from Dave’s Picks 50, 6 songs from the Dave’s Picks Bonus Disc, and 5 cuts from Dave’s Picks 53. An onerous task, even for an adept completist. NOW, just select the date, hit PLAY and listen to the show, in its entirety, in stunning quality. Thank you, powers that be!

   Matt L  (5/8/2026 6:51:46 AM)

This Deal is off the charts