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Listen Here: live.gd/1988-09-19

Recorded By: Dan Healy

Tape Transfer By: Sonicraft

Mastered By: David Glasser

Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz

Source Media: Sony DT-90&120 DATs

"September ’88 at the Garden just keeps rolling. Night six opens with Touch of Grey, immediately lighting up the room. Lazy Red Rooster’s and a Dire Wolf’ follow, while a rare Brent tune, Far From Me, brings forth a strong Queen Jane from Bobby. The band is feeling it and Tennessee Jed has everyone singing before an extended Let It Grow closes the first set.

Victim or the Crime opens the second set and pulls the Garden into dark territory before Foolish Heart turns the corner. Then comes the glory with a Playing in the Band > China Doll > Playing in the Band, pre drums, now that’s a rare sandwich leaving no one hungry as they go into Drums > Space.

Out of space we get The Wheel > a standout Black Peter > Around & Around > Good Lovin’ and it has the Garden rocking before a powerful Quinn the Eskimo closes another epic night." - Martin Knott

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"The Grateful Dead have never “Boxed” up anything that wasn’t spectacular.

The 2013 May 1977 release begins on May 11th in St. Paul Minnesota and follows the band through five remarkable performances starting just two days after the Holy Trilogy. The first stop is St. Paul, then two at Chicago’s Auditorium Theater, downriver to St. Louis for a night and then Southeast to Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama campus.

By Spring ’77, the band had been back on the road for about a year and you can hear the confidence growing every single night. This tour has often been described as “one long show,” and these performances make the case. There’s no letup—only forward motion. Songs stretch, transitions deepen, (Estimated > Eyes, Scarlet > Fire) and the listening gets better by the night.  For most of these fans, this was the first time they were seeing Terrapin, Estimated and Scarlet > Fire…mind blown. I can just imagine what it was like, though we don’t have to imagine because these recordings bring you right into the room.

Chicago brings visits from Dr. Beechwood and Dr. Shot (Mickey and Billy in Scrubs) for an electric start to the second evening. Along the way we get the birth of Jack-A-Roe, Passenger, and Iko Iko. And then there’s Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain—plays 9, 10, and 11 as a pairing—all unfolding in the shadow of Cornell, each one completely different, especially the transitions.

It's hours and hours of listening pleasure from one of the great touring months in the band’s history." - Martin Knott

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Listen Here: live.gd/1988-09-18

Recorded By: Dan Healy

Tape Transfer By: Sonicraft

Mastered By: David Glasser

Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz

Source Media: Sony DT-90&120 DATs

"September 18th always seemed to bring something extra at the Garden—1987, 1988, 1990 and this ’88 show is another example.

Feel Like a Stranger > Franklin’s Tower to open? That’s hot and it’s also an indication of good things to come… the band is fully settled into this legendary nine-show run and the New York crowd is right there with them. Stagger Lee, brings out all of the characters before a trip to the Promised Land, to end the set.

NFA to get the second set rolling and everyone is in love! Scarlet Begonias > Fire leaves room for Women Are Smarter before they run into > Drums > Space > The Other One > Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones. Jerry delivers a beautiful vocal on Wharf Rat, and by the time they hit Throwing Stones the (Suspended) Garden is actually moving.

So the kids, they dance and shake their bones right back into a NFA sandy, the place is Fully Alive!

Black Muddy River to close and everyone’s singing a song of their own.. Enjoy" - Martin Knott

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Listen Here: live.gd/1988-09-16

Recorded By: Dan Healy

Tape Transfer By: Sonicraft

Mastered By: David Glasser

Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz

Source Media: Sony DT-90&120 DATs

"Show number 3 of the nine-show Garden run, and by now the band is fully settled in. Hey Pocky Way opens and it’s another party at the Garden.. Brent’s vocals are soulful and loose as the New York faithful and the band start moving the energy around.

Minglewood and Mississippi Half-Step keep the energy high before the set takes a turn around a beautiful corner with a To Lay Me Down Jerry’s voice just sparkling. The Masterpiece and Bird Song are just so crisp and perfect, Jerry’s backups on Masterpiece are immediate and forceful, don’t miss it.

The second set is loaded: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Ship of Fools, and a sick Estimated Prophet > Terrapin Station > that launches the place to orbit.

D/S > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Hey Jude > Sugar Magnolia just to put an exclamation point on the night. What more could you ask for…maybe a Baby Blue to close down another stellar performance. Enjoy." - Martin Knott

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Listen Here: live.gd/1988-09-15

Recorded By: Dan Healy

Tape Transfer: Sonicraft

Mastered By: David Glasser

Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz

Source Media: Sony DT-90&120 DATs

"Night two of the nine-night stretch at the Garden, and the room is full. The band meets the New York energy at the door.

Hell in a Bucket > Sugaree opens with purpose. Desolation Row brings lyrics to the forefront a Dylan Masterpiece nailed by Weir, never ceasing to amaze. Bobby nailed it more often than not, you're gonna love this version. Jerry is doing a lot of singing along before taking over with one of his favorites, Row Jimmy. Cassidy says her piece and Deal closes the set with everyone smiling.

The second set keeps things moving. Samson and Delilah opens into Crazy Fingers, then Playing in the Band > Uncle John’s Band, into Drums > Space.

Out of Space, I Will Take You Home brings a quiet moment for Brent before All Along the Watchtower > Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad builds things back up. They close the set with Turn on Your Lovelight and it’s shining everywhere.

A raucous New York Crowd brings them out for a U.S. Blues to finish the night." - Martin Knott

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Listen Here: live.gd/1988-09-14

Recorded By: Dan Healy

Tape Transfer: Sonicraft

Mastered By: David Glasser

Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz

Source Media: Sony DT-90 DATs

"Opening night of a nine-show run at the Garden, structured in three sets of three. The band comes in focused, and the New York energy is there from the start.

Let the Good Times Roll opens, followed by Alabama Getaway > Greatest Story Ever Told, setting an upbeat pace. The first set moves through Stagger Lee, Walkin’ Blues, and a really nice version of It Must Have Been the Roses, with Queen Jane Approximately, Ramble On Rose, and Let It Grow closing it out.

The second set opens with Box of Rain, everyone loves it before Victim or the Crime and Foolish Heart. Looks Like He’s Gone takes us into Drums > Space.

Out of Space, I Need a Miracle > Gimme Some Lovin’ lock the room in before Morning Dew brings it down to a strong close.

They finish with Black Muddy River, a fitting encore for the night. A solid start to the Garden run." - Martin Knott

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