Cornell '77: The Music, the Myth, and the Magnificence of the Grateful Dead's Concert at Barton Hall Hardcover – April 11, 2017 by Peter Conners (Cornell University Press)

"I made my own mix to make myself happy and to hear what I wanted to hear." Betty Cantor-Jackson.

The May 8, 1977 show at Cornell University has long been touted as one of the Dead's best shows post-layoff and certainly one of their best shows ever. Some Deadheads say the show is overrated, but maybe that's because tapes of this gig have been "around" since the '80s. And having it recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson ("Betty Boards") has helped elevate this show too. This concert is included in the National Recording Registry because of the quality of the band's playing that night. Plus, Dick Latvala has always liked this show (and the shows surrounding Barton Hall)--but never released it as a "Dick's Picks" because the tapes were circulated widely.

The author admits he wasn't at this show (he first heard the band in the '80s), and the book is published by Cornell University Press, which might make skeptics think "tie-in" with the box set featuring this show and three others from that period. To each his own on that subject. But as a Deadhead (since before the term was invented) I found the book has a number of interesting if not good insights and some information about the band and this show, and that era of '77.

The book begins with some background on the Sex Pistols, the disco era, and how that ties into the Dead as a band during that time. From that point the author begins to lay out the foundation of the Dead and the book. With many interviews (including Betty Cantor-Jackson) and 16 pages of photos, picturing the university and surrounding areas--not the show itself--and another section of 16 pages of photos including the band on stage at Barton Hall, newspaper clippings about the show, and other ephemera, you get a better idea of the Barton Hall gig. The author uses facts, opinions, interviews, and his own thoughts to paint a picture of that particular show and the people and era involved. You'll hear from Deadheads, non-Deadheads, scholars, tapers/traders, and others in the band's orbit at that time. But to be honest the author didn't get any interviews with band members simply because as Bob Weir said "I'm not sure I'm going to remember the sound check, or even that show." To the band it was just another show in a string of gigs--some better than others--but still just another show. The author also gives his opinions on the songs played that night--with information about the tune itself and how the song was played by the band.

If you're a Deadhead fan/collector (like me) this book is worth adding to your library. If you have only a passing interest in the band the impact of the book (and this particular show) may miss you entirely--and that's okay. But that string of gigs the band played in May of that year were some of the best shows after their lay-off from concerts. This book is included in the original issue of the box set from the Rhino/Dead gang, which quickly sold out. If you want to hear the music only, the box set is available without the book as a "music only" edition. The May 8 show is also available as a stand alone set.

There's a "Listening and Reading" section that lays out the sources used for the book, a section of notes for each chapter, and an index. The photos and other graphics are printed on glossy stock paper that greatly improves viewing.

This a good time for Deadheads--this book, the upcoming stand alone release of this '77 show and the box set, the upcoming movie and soundtrack, and the recently released 21 CD box set (with booklet) of shows from '71 for under 25 bucks. It's almost too good to be true