The shows were recorded on 2-track tapes on a Nagra IV as part of the band’s normal documenting procedures of the time, which employed a mic split permitting a different mix to tape than that to the PA system, with minimal processing allowing the clearest possible signal path to tape. And for the audiophiles out there, this recording really is a treasure in its own special way. As much as I appreciate the blues songs that Pigpen sang perfectly with so much soul and the tremendous energy that Pigpen brought to the band, it took Pigpen passing for the Dead to make the natural progression from country psychedelic rock band with a blues background to one with credible Jazz chops. Personally, I’m very fond of ’72 and the post-Pigpen ’73-74, although I do find myself coming back frequently to the intensity of ’69-’71 ( is such a spookily intense show!). Then there are Deadheads who believe that the only true Dead is the Pigpen era (1965-maybe late ’71, because Pigpen really stopped having an impact on the Dead once he got sick and eventually passed in ’73), punctuated by the extremely intense playing from ’68 to ’70. But I’m not entirely convinced that Cornell was the best show of the spectacular Spring ’77 tour. Many point to the Cornell May 8th, 1977 show, which is in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
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