I think that attempting to pin down a “best year” or “best tour” for the Grateful Dead is a fruitless exercise. Not only did the Dead’s sound changed drastically over the years to accommodate a changing lineup, but everyone has their own taste. There really are gems to be found everywhere! In this series of posts, I’ll be laying out an ideal setlist for a few different eras, based on my favorite tunes from the particular year or tour that the post is centered on.
Coming from an amateur deadhead, 1977 is a natural place to start, due to the accessibility/popularity of so many shows - this includes the recent Cornell 5/8/77 craze, as well as the fact that Dicks Picks 3, 10, 15, 29, and 34 are all ‘77 shows). I’ll be outlining an ideal show based on my favorite tunes from the Spring 77 tour, as well as a few shows from that summer (mostly so I could include Dick's Picks 15 - 9/3/77 because that show slaps as hell). For each song, I’ll leave a track version that I particularly enjoy from the era along with the appropriate Spotify/Relisten link. You’ll notice the heavy emphasis on 5/8/77 and 9/3/77, please leave rebuttals in the comment section!
Set 1
Bertha >
Good Lovin’ (5/28/77)
Sugaree (5/22/77)
Jack Straw (5/8/77)
Mississippi Halfstep Uptown Toodelo (9/3/77)
New Minglewood Blues (5/8/77)
Music Never Stopped (5/9/77)
Set 2
Scarlet Begonias >
Fire on the Mountain (5/8/77)
Estimated Prophet (5/8/77)
Samson and Delilah (9/3/77)
Wharf Rat (5/28/77)
Encore
I also made a Spotify playlist, including the honorable mention songs. I had to make substitutions as necessary for the versions that I chose that aren't available on Spotify. Enjoy!
Stay tuned for more ideal setlists!
Can we add a section to this for "Best Of: Donna Jean - 1977"
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