Bertha, Cassidy, Deal, Jack Straw, Peggy-O, Minglewood Blues, Mississippi Half Step-> Big River, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped Terrapin Station-> Samson & Delilah, Friend Of The Devil, Estimated Prophet, Eyes Of The World-> Drums-> The Wheel-> Wharf Rat-> Around & Around, E: U.S. Blues

Bertha Remaster of the Rob Eaton/The Wizard soundboard source: SBD> MR> DAT> editing> SHN> DAW(Bertha)> CDA/SHN, by Jay Ashley; see pub comments for extended notes

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Reviewer: Danimus1977 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 20, 2018

Subject: A personal favorite Though technical difficulties were abundant it's still one of my favorites. Great set list and performances. Such an awesome Bertha, love how they handle the feedback, Keith's playing drives it home. - December 20, 2018A personal favorite

Reviewer: BGL2020 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 19, 2018

Subject: WOW! BETTER THAN CORNELL just heard this from the box set "Get Shown The Light" and I truly feel it is better than the Cornell show. Incredible energy throughout/ not a single mediocre performance here, they hit home runs on every number they play! A MUST LISTEN FOR ANY SERIOUS DEAD HEAD. - December 19, 2018WOW! BETTER THAN CORNELL

Reviewer: ralberty - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 7, 2017

Subject: 40 years ago wholly shit man, its been 40 years down the track since heading down to Boston from Gardner,Mass. hitch hiking to show down route 2 to Cambridge, cross the Charles over Longfellow bang aah left to The Carnival under The T on Causeway Street. Home, Home at last. Joined in, got in and partied with the Gallery Gods,The Grateful Dead & my Neighbours. Dreams are made of these... mighty fine ones too. listen & you shall hear... Today ironically made plans to go see Phil & Friends with another Deadhead down to the Cap in couple weeks.. Some things never change.. Unbroken Chain.. see yah on tour ... ;0) Happy Happy Billy K - May 7, 201740 years ago

Reviewer: jjjzimmer - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 27, 2013

Subject: One of the MUST have shows from 77 Start to finish this show is right up there with the Cornell show. The feedback Bertha is hilarious and solid. The BEST Peggy-O ever played, Half Step, Big River, Music and Wharf Rat are incredible! And the list goes on. Give it a listen you will not be disappointed. - February 27, 2013One of the MUST have shows from 77

Reviewer: deadhindu - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 1, 2010

Subject: THATS WHAT IM TRYING TO HEAR CUGEL!!!! - December 1, 2010THATS

Reviewer: deadadone - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 26, 2010

Subject: the garden v.s. barton hall well jee this is a super tough call. I believe i'm a bit partial to the cornell show bacause it was one of the first dead concerts i got my hands on, but its a tough call. Both are technically superb, although it is tough to beat jerry on barton halls scarlet-fire. However, the peggy-o and half-step are so rediculously awesome that that they might equall or surpass the cornell scarlet-fire. Well, to each his own. I just am so happy and thankful that I have the ability to listen to this music even though its was before my time - August 26, 2010the garden v.s. barton hall

Reviewer: cugel - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 13, 2010

Subject: No Better Wharf Rat! Sorry deadhindu, but there IS NO Better Wharf Rat than this and I've looked! Sterling versions of Cassidy, Wheel, Terrapin, Eyes, and a wonderful Peggy-O all in one show?!!!



I prefer this show to the Cornell and Buffalo shows on succeeding nights, simply because i prefer the song-list from this show.



To argue about which show is "the best of all time" is ridiculous! It's all totally subjective! If you love Pig-Pen (a lot do) then any show after 1972 can't be the "best." Some people like '69 shows. Some prefer the '70 acoustic shows best. Some like the early 90's. Are all those people "wrong"?



But, in my totally subjective opinion this was the best-ever Grateful Dead show. Everything you'd want is present. Great setlist, startling audio quality and clarity, Jerry's on fire, great harmony on all the songs, you name it.



I missed this show, but made the Englishtown show later that year (best concert I ever witnessed). Any of the spring-summer 1977 shows are worth a listen. - August 13, 2010No Better Wharf Rat!

Reviewer: dprocks - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 26, 2010

Subject: half step> big river good god This half step is off the charts. I love this weekend!!



As far as the previous comment about a better Wharf Rat, I am really partial to 4/24/72, rocking the rhein, dusseldorf, germany but this one is really good too. - January 26, 2010half step> big river good god

Reviewer: Evan S. Hunt - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 24, 2009

Subject: The Definitive Terrapin Initial sound problems but otherwise IMMACULATE.



Augmented deeply by the most profound album cut version of Terrapin.



Entire effort: Start to Finish: A "10."



The Grateful Dead exhumed and re-animated the Beatles live in 1964 if they could have heard or imagined themselves more true in 1977.



Wow -- That's ridiculous!



Huh, I have finally blown my stack! - January 24, 2009The Definitive Terrapin

Reviewer: jim_starboard - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 29, 2008

Subject: Half Step AHHH-cross the rio-gran-de-ohh....ah-cross the lazy river.



I never get tired of hearing it. - July 29, 2008Half Step

Reviewer: Heyitsthatguy - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 27, 2008

Subject: Pretty Peggy-O I loved this version of Peggy-O. They were broadcasting their energy without getting sloppy -- something that they could not always accomplish. The dynamics were great, Jerry's vocals were dead on, and his guitar work (along with the keys) was superb. This gave me chills. - June 27, 2008Pretty Peggy-O

Reviewer: bomberman - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 1, 2008

Subject: Better than Barton? Well, I can definitely see the argument for it. C'mon, listen closely, the energy level here is off the charts. Like Mr. RFK says, the Miss 1/2 Step IS the fucking bomb. And The Music Never Stopped, holy sh!T. Jerry is completely wharped into this performance. Peggy-O, Eyes, Terrapin, Est.Prophet, all are pretty damn good. And the Minglewood is among the best from the '77 tour (if only I could hear Jerry's guitar). Even the slowed-down versions of Tenn. Jed and Friend which I am normally not all that thrilled about are played with pleasing results. I could go on, but I'll just fire up a j and listen again.



5 stars all the way - May 1, 2008Better than Barton?

Reviewer: I Caught A Phish But Now It is Gratefully Dead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 16, 2008

Subject: bomb nugz this is one of the illest shows they ever played. they were on top of their game fof 5/7 5/8 and 5/9 and they are all the shit - April 16, 2008bomb nugz

Reviewer: RFKROX - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 19, 2008

Subject: Best show of 1977!



The Barton Hall show was downloaded 126,000+ times. Compare that to the Boston Garden show that was downloaded 308,000+ times. I have the Palladium 4/30 flac (lossless) show that I purchased from the



Now for the show… First of all, forget about the equipment repairs that last several minutes in between some of the songs. They only helped the perfection of this awesome concert, as well. When you burn your _



Now we get to Mississippi Half-Step. Another user stated he thought the best Half-Steps were from ’80 and ’81 until he heard this one. I couldn’t echo that any more! This Half-Step is without a doubt, the fucking bomb!! I have “NEVER” heard Garcia’s guitar transcend my mind like it does on this song! Absolutely, breathtaking! If anyone can find a better Half-Step, then I’d sure like to know! It actually reminds me of Jerry’s guitar on the Dark Star from “Live Dead”. It’s that good, folks!! Big River, Jed and TMNS round out the 1st set, that just doesn’t let up!



And the 2nd set is about as good as I’ve heard for a 2nd set. Terrapin into Sampson just blows me away! Friend of the Devil and Estimated Prophet will have you jammin’ no matter what you are doing. Eyes of the World is very good and Drums is not drawn out, but Eyes is certainly not a top-10. However, The Wheel leading into a 15-1/2 minute Wharf Rat is ridiculous and one for the ages! Around and Around is solid, but the U.S. Blues culminates this show into a top-5 show of all time, IMHO. By the way, Jerry breaks a string before U.S. Blues, but fixes it before the finale.



People have commented on the equipment problems during this show. As far as I’m concerned, it only made this show better because so much tuning was done before most songs that only made the songs sound that much better! The only minor flaws in this show is a slight “feedback” at the beginning of Bertha, and Jack Straw only lasted 5 minutes. But that is me just being picky! LOL



Go listen to Barton Hall, and then listen to Boston Garden. If the 5/7 Boston Garden had a version of Scarlet > Fire from the 5/8 Barton Hall show added to the 2nd set, then this Boston Garden show may have been the best show of all-time! Definitely would have been the best show in 1977. If they only could have played Good Lovin’ after Bertha before Cassidy! OMG!! Can you imagine that??



Danny from Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C.

East-Coast Deadhead

rfkrox44@



PEACE-OUT! Anyone that gives this show less than 5 stars needs to have their head examined!! There is a reason why this show has been downloaded 308,000+ times (2nd download for this show on archive.org ). The 1st download (Bertha remaster by Rob Eaton, The Wizard, and Jay Ashley) is the best-sounding version, so download that one. There is some extra tuning/equipment problems before and after some songs, but that only makes this concert better than all the others. And believe me, this was “no warm-up” for Barton Hall. In fact, the Boston Garden and Buffalo Memorial Auditorium book-end shows were the best shows of the 3-night stand, IMHO. Yes, Barton Hall is good, but the audio and quality of the Boston Garden show is off-the-hook!!The Barton Hall show was downloaded 126,000+ times. Compare that to the Boston Garden show that was downloaded 308,000+ times. I have the Palladium 4/30 flac (lossless) show that I purchased from the deadnetstore.com . The quality is out-of-this-world! Guess what? The quality from the Boston Garden show sounds almost, if not as good, IMHO (and it’s not even lossless).Now for the show… First of all, forget about the equipment repairs that last several minutes in between some of the songs. They only helped the perfection of this awesome concert, as well. When you burn your _ vbr.mp3 ’s to disk, you don’t have to burn the equipment repair fillers, anyway. The 1st set is as good as any 1st set I’ve heard. Bertha – Cassidy – Deal – Jack Straw is smokin’! Peggy-O is definitely a top-3 of all time, and New Minglewood Blue sounds better than the Barton Hall version, without a doubt!Now we get to Mississippi Half-Step. Another user stated he thought the best Half-Steps were from ’80 and ’81 until he heard this one. I couldn’t echo that any more! This Half-Step is without a doubt, the fucking bomb!! I have “NEVER” heard Garcia’s guitar transcend my mind like it does on this song! Absolutely, breathtaking! If anyone can find a better Half-Step, then I’d sure like to know! It actually reminds me of Jerry’s guitar on the Dark Star from “Live Dead”. It’s that good, folks!! Big River, Jed and TMNS round out the 1st set, that just doesn’t let up!And the 2nd set is about as good as I’ve heard for a 2nd set. Terrapin into Sampson just blows me away! Friend of the Devil and Estimated Prophet will have you jammin’ no matter what you are doing. Eyes of the World is very good and Drums is not drawn out, but Eyes is certainly not a top-10. However, The Wheel leading into a 15-1/2 minute Wharf Rat is ridiculous and one for the ages! Around and Around is solid, but the U.S. Blues culminates this show into a top-5 show of all time, IMHO. By the way, Jerry breaks a string before U.S. Blues, but fixes it before the finale.People have commented on the equipment problems during this show. As far as I’m concerned, it only made this show better because so much tuning was done before most songs that only made the songs sound that much better! The only minor flaws in this show is a slight “feedback” at the beginning of Bertha, and Jack Straw only lasted 5 minutes. But that is me just being picky! LOLGo listen to Barton Hall, and then listen to Boston Garden. If the 5/7 Boston Garden had a version of Scarlet > Fire from the 5/8 Barton Hall show added to the 2nd set, then this Boston Garden show may have been the best show of all-time! Definitely would have been the best show in 1977. If they only could have played Good Lovin’ after Bertha before Cassidy! OMG!! Can you imagine that??Danny from Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C.East-Coast Deadheadrfkrox44@ hotmail.com PEACE-OUT! - February 19, 2008Best show of 1977!

Reviewer: curtisclogston - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - December 24, 2007

Subject: this show rules Vote for Ron Paul in 2008 - December 24, 2007this show rules

Reviewer: Dylan M - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 31, 2007

Subject: Best Half Step Ever Before I heard the Mississippi Half Step off this one, I though the ones from 80 and 81 where better, but this show proves the power that the 70s band had on this number. Jerry, Keith, and Phil seem to be chanelled into the same trip and past minute 6, you have never heard a half-step jam ensue this amazing ever.



Listen and determine for yourself. - October 31, 2007Best Half Step Ever

Reviewer: gruUbic - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 6, 2007

Subject: 5/7/1977 - still another loudest-output w/ quality i've heard of this classic...







yes, it's proably somewhat distorted ---- not the tru Betty Board --



but its Crystal clear:

fun

and really

really

loud...



Thank you, achive! - September 6, 20075/7/1977 - still another

Reviewer: danmarycap - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 12, 2007

Subject: Best re-master I've heard Although other versions of this show have been downloaded more times, this is by far the best sounding. Brilliantly and expertly done -- thank you Mr Ashley! - July 12, 2007Best re-master I've heard

Reviewer: jackstrawfromwitchita - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 21, 2007

Subject: Hot diggity DAMm forget the next night, this is the night IMO. the bertha, peggyo, terrapin are all top notch, not to mention the wheel that keith and jerry tear the sh%t out of. top 5 show all time, its to hard to pick #1 though, great setlist - June 21, 2007Hot diggity DAMm

Reviewer: philphanatic - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 15, 2007

Subject: 77 rocks are there any shows on this tour that don't get 5 stars???? I was born a few decades too late - June 15, 200777 rocks

Reviewer: Deadfitz - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 7, 2007

Subject: 30 Years (today) So Far... This is the Dead at thier absolute best! Jerry sounds great, both playin' and singin'. The whole band is on Fire!



Thanks Cven for turning me on this show! - May 7, 200730 Years (today) So Far...

Reviewer: Evil Pac Man - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - May 7, 2006

Subject: Ah, hell yeah It's 5.7.06 right now, and I'm at work.....was in the mood for some good '77 to rock with ease, and saw 5.7 and thought "Ah, hell yeah".



I remember having heard this show many years back and being impressed and boy whad I forgot!!



Definitely agree with what everyone has said. The Miss. 1/2 step..........is SIIIIICK.



Peace and Love to you all. - May 7, 2006Ah, hell yeah

Reviewer: krissimms - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 1, 2006

Subject: Oh My! One Word: Half-Step! - February 1, 2006Oh My!

Reviewer: DavidGlasses - favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 18, 2006

Subject: Ups and downs I love '77, and Spring '77 is the Dead at their peak. That said, I have to point out that Mickey and Bill are not good on this night's Jack Straw. They also have trouble on Big River. (I blame Mickey-- Bill's a much better drummer). Take note, though: Jerry's two solos on Half Step are stunning, possibly the pinnacle of his playing. - January 18, 2006Ups and downs

Reviewer: devlin - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - July 5, 2005

Subject: great remaster Great remaster for a great show.

Thank you Mr Ashley. - July 5, 2005great remaster

Reviewer: headgdhead - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 21, 2005

Subject: Tear this old building down! What a night! In the middle of the front row of the balcony for the opener at the old Gahden. the crowd had the place rocking and the deck of the balcony had to be flexing up and down by at least 4 inches!! I thought the place was going to come down. The interplay during Cassidy between Bobby & Jerry was more intense than comes through on the recording. Great show by one of the only bands that could make the Boston Garden truly rock. - June 21, 2005Tear this old building down!

Reviewer: fuzzyletters - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - June 13, 2005

Subject: :) this might be my favorite dead show so far... it's smooth and beautiful and they nail everything... at times literally ;)



peggy-o is on of the prettiest songs ever - June 13, 2005:)

Reviewer: Kyrion - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 22, 2005

Subject: First set is heavenly! And the second set isn't anything to sneeze at. Awesome from start to finish. - April 22, 2005First set is heavenly!

Reviewer: Patty Falafal - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - January 14, 2005

Subject: overshadowed great, great show and how can you not absolutely love these bertha remasters by Jay...thanks Mr. Ashley- you bring tremendous joy to my heart with the quality of these recordings of some fantabulous playing... - January 14, 2005overshadowed