Grateful Dead 1977: The Rise of Terrapin Nation
1.
5-8-77 Scarlet > Fire
The unique Grateful
Dead mystique is on display during this masterpiece from Barton Hall. The segue jam between the two songs which I refer to as Begonias
Mountain, is breathtaking and transcendent. Garcia’s final solo on Fire sets off smoke alarms, it’s simply the best Fire solo ever. These are
amazing achievements considering this is only the ninth version of Scarlet >
Fire. Everything is just exactly perfect, this is my favorite segment of live music.
2.
9-3-77 Mississippi Half Step
A Half Step for
Engishtown, a giant step for Western Civilization. In front of the largest crowd
that they had performed for since Watkins Glen, 1973, the Grateful Dead
officially debunk the myth that they can’t rise to the occasion on the big
stage. There’s a mighty surge in the pre-Rio Grande jam followed by a brilliant
interlude unlike anything they’d done before or after. This is an immense
performance, the royal rhapsody of a legendary show in Raceway Park.
3.
5-19-77 Playing > Uncle John’s Band
Pure
exhilaration! Out of the cosmic
weirdness of Playin’ in the Band, the Boys mellifluously flow into an Uncle
John’s Band reprise even though they had yet to begin the song. The music
halts, and as if they’d been down this road a thousad times before, the band
harmonizes—“Whoa oh what I want to know oh, oh, is how does the song go?” And whap, they
rev it up from the get go--Uncle John’s Band in all its rage and glory, with a
Drums > Wheel > China Doll > Playin’ conclusion to the Mother of all
loops in the Fox Theatre.
4.
5-8-77 St. Stephen reprise > Morning Dew
Coming out of a
beastly drum solo, Garcia and crew noodle their way back into St. Stephen. Then
all heaven and hell breaks loose as the Holy Chord signaling Morning Dew is
struck. As we all know, this is a majestic Dew. I think there may be a Dew or
two where Garcia shines brighter, but this is a definitive moment for the band
as a unit, the jamming is possessed, the perfect ending to a perfect set. And its the only St. Stephen > Morning Dew in Grateful Dead history.
5.
6-9-77 Help on the Way > Slipknot > Franklin’s Tower
Trying to get
everything just exactly perfect, the Dead peel of a spirited version of their
favorite ’77 tuning instrumental, Funinculi Funicula. Weir announces that this
is a winner as the band begins to bounce into Help on the Way. Everything is
maxed-out. Slipknot! is a wild ride on the dark Coltrane side, and Franklin’s
spins on and on. “I want you to roll away the Dew!” Blues For Allah
heaven.
6.
The Grateful Dead Movie
For more than two
years, Garcia poured his heart and artistic sensibilities into producing this
movie. Released on June 1, 1977, the Grateful Dead movie is one of Jerry’s most
enduring and endearing endeavors. Garcia captured and branded the Grateful Dead
experience, and as Garcia places Deadheads under the microscope, fans get a
heart-warming portrait of Jerry Garcia the musician, and Jerry Garcia the man.
7.
5-15-77 Estimated > Eyes
The City of Blues
is blessed by the first, and perhaps the best Estimated Prophet > Eyes of
the World. The Estimated outro blisters into Eyes which is kicked off by lead
bass from Lesh. Garcia’s post-lyric Eyes tirade is bombastic, and extremely
enjoyable to anyone with an ear for rapid shrill-sounding guitar licks.
8.
11-4-77 Playin’ > Eyes > Estimated > Other One
Two songs after
Phil’s Jones Gang intro, the music soars inside a Playin’ loop. The opening of
Eyes is frenetic and wildly inventive.
The Other One is short and ferocious. Colgate University was treated to
a special show on November 4.
9.
5-7-77 Mississippi Half Step > Big River, Tennessee Jed, Music Never Stopped
One of the
all-time great Half Steps dovetails into a rambunctious Big River. A
sensational Music Never Stopped puts the exclamation point on a first set for
the ages…’77 thunder and euphoric ramblings for Boston
Garden.
10.
2-26-77 Terrapin Station
Opening the year
with the debut of their new anthem was an absolutely fearless choice, and it
set the tone for this great concert in the Swing Auditorium, as well as establishing the tone for the year to
come.
11.
5-19-77 Sugaree
A colossal
performance in the Fox Theatre. With three brilliant and balanced jams, this
gold standard for Sugaree was established--alchemy and synergy of the highest degree.
12.
5-9-77 Big River, Peggy-O, Sunrise, Music Never Stopped
A smoking first
set finale in Buffalo. The Music Never Stopped is prime ’77 insanity. The songs
preceding it are elite versions, even Sunrise.
13.
6-7-77 Samson > Terrapin > Morning Dew
A post-Drums
Samson smokes and it’s followed by the last Terrapin > Morning Dew the
Grateful Dead will ever play. This is one of the best Dews this side of
Cornell.
14..
10-15-77 St. Stephen > Not Fade Away
> Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia
A sizzling St. Stephen in all its uninterrupted glory kicks off a remarkable finish in Moody Coliseum on the
campus of SMU. Treasure the long luxurious intro of Sugar Magnolia.
15.
5-22 Eyes of the World > Wharf Rat > Terrapin > Morning Dew
It doesn’t get
better than this for Jerry lovers—four Garcia/ Hunter anthems in a row in the
Hollywood Sportatorium. The big surprise here is the segue from Wharf Rat to
the “inspiration move me brightly” verse of Terrapin. The Grateful Dead could pull off
almost anything in ’77.
16.
3-18-77 Terrapin
On a night when
they debuted Scarlet > Fire, the band plays their only extended version of
Terrapin Station including At a Siding. The tempo and texture of this Terrapin
is exquisite, amazing considering it was the only the third rendition.
17.
5-28-77 Sugaree
An eighteen minute
romp with Garcia blazing trails around the moon. This is right up there with
the Fox version, and whenever Garcia visited Hartford down the road, a blazing
Sugaree was a-coming round the bend.
18.
11-6-77 Truckin’
The post Truckin’
jam is a barn burner, and the band shines the spotlight on Jerry as he jams solo
before the bone-crunching crescendo. A distinctive and unforgettable finale at the last East Coast
show of the year in Binghamton.
19.
10-29-77 Let It Grow
Garcia’s garrulous
guitar shakes up De Kalb as Let It Grow stakes its claim as an essential first
set closer, although majestic versions like this would be few and far between.
20.
5-17-77 Fire on the Mountain
The best opening
set of the year, fourteen songs in length, ends with a mesmerizing Scarlet >
Fire. There's a lot to admire here, but the rhythmic adventure at the start of
Fire thrills like no other. This show from Tuscaloosa is incredibly potent and
consistent.
21.
5-18-77 Other One
It's opening night in the Fabulous Fox and Garcia's en fuego. With Phil bombing away, the jam explodes over and
over until the music actually escapes through the lily fields.
22.
11-5-77 Three Take a Step Backs and Mississippi Half Step
Mississippi Half
Step is surrounded by musical pleas from the band to take a step back.
Ah, those crazy New York college kids. All year, overhyped fans surged towards
the stage, and who can blame them when the Dead unleashed spectacular
performances like the Rochester Half Step.
23.
10-9-77 Lazy Lightning > Supplication, Sugaree, Music Never Stopped
77 glitz and
gleam…Primal Dead in the Denver. The band is possessed, the jams roll on fast
and furious in the Colorado Rockies.
24.
10-2-77 Casey Jones
There’s nothing
like a Casey Jones opener after three years in exile. Adding to the splendor of
this Portland train ride, Garcia forgets a verse which leads to an elongated
jam. All mistakes are blessed in ’77.
25. 5-15-77 Dancin’ in the Street
Turbocharged madness
in St. Louis Arena. A Grateful/ Motown revival. The Band uncorks a striking
jam, and they’re flying high as they chant Dancin’ over and over again, until
the set concludes with a dazzling instrumental fanfare.
From Howard Weiner, author pf Positively Garcia, Grateful Dead 1977: The Rise of Terrapin Nation is now available on Amazon: Grateful Dead 1977
From Howard Weiner, author pf Positively Garcia, Grateful Dead 1977: The Rise of Terrapin Nation is now available on Amazon: Grateful Dead 1977
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